THE WHOLE country is bracing itself for substantially colder temperatures as forecasters warn about a polar storm which could bring an artic freeze to the UK.

Temperatures across East Lancashire are set to drop considerably over the coming weeks after warmer than usual temperatures were experienced throughout the start of November.

While no extreme weather is predicted for this week, temperatures are set to drop to as low as two degrees on some evenings throughout the week.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "From Tuesday this week the weather will be rather unsettled, breezy and cold.

"There will be some sunshine, although it often looks cloudy with showers developing at times.

"Some hill snow and icy patches are to be expected overnight."

The long term forecast is looking more disruptive, with frost and snow predicted moving in December.

The spokesman said: "There is a chance that during early December the weather pattern may change, with fronts moving in from the west across the Atlantic."