FREEZING temperatures are set to hit Dorset this week – although the county looks set to avoid snow.

After today, temperatures will plummet to single figures but on some days will feel much colder with Tuesday and Thursday likely to be the coldest days this week.

Tuesday will see the start of the cold weather with frost developing during the evening and Wednesday will be more unsettled, with some light showers forecast for the afternoon, the Met Office have predicted.

Read how Dorset councils are preparing for the cold snap

The highest temperature on Thursday is likely to be around 2C or 3C with Friday set for more of the same.

Dorset looks to escape the worst of the weather though with homes in northern Scotland battered by freezing temperatures as mercury plummets below the seasonal average, forecasters have warned.

 

#dorsetgrit - we'll be out for the first salting run of the season from 8pm tonight in areas marked blue and yellow. pic.twitter.com/T5Sk1bbRxi

— TravelDorset (@TravelDorset) November 18, 2013

A sudden cold snap will start today, with temperatures falling below zero across the country and peaking at just 4C (39.2F) or 5C (41F), forecasters have predicted.

North-westerly winds whipping off the Arctic are expected to bring at least two weeks of near-freezing conditions, making November up to 3C (5.4F) colder than last year.

There is a possibility for snow to move into the area as cold winds move down across the country and the cold snap is likely to last into at least next week.