By Emily Allen Created: 04:58 EST, 8 October 2011 Britain is just weeks away from being in the grip of temperatures as low as -20C, forecasters have predicted. Parts of Britain already saw snow this week, with two inches falling in the Cairngorms in Scotland. The rest of Britain is being warned to brace itself for wintry conditions and falling snow from the beginning of November. And it looks like the colder weather is already on its way - as temperatures today plunged in certain areas to just 8C - a staggering 21.5C below last weekend's record highs - with the wind chill making it feel decidedly colder.
@highlight
1.4million tonnes of salt has been ordered this year
@highlight
Snow already falling in Scotland
@highlight
Temperatures in London today are 16.5C lower than last week
'I initially expect frequent and significant snowfalls across many northern regions and @placeholder throughout this winter.