Arctic blasts are set to sweep across Scotland this week bringing sub-zero temperatures and 8ins of snow in Aberdeenshire.

Bitterly cold weather is forecast across Britain with the temperature plummeting to -15C in northern Scotland.

Many regions have been warned to expect snow flurries as the cold weather takes hold from Wednesday and will last until the first week of December.

Edinburgh and possibly Glasgow could experience some snowfall by the end of the week.

But though forecasters said it was still too early to predict a white Christmas, bookmakers Coral have begun to slash their odds.

STV weatherman Sean Batty said that while it is usual to experience cold weather at this time of the year, the severity of the drop is not.

He said: "During this week the temperatures will be lowering which signalling the start of a significant cold spell which will last at least through the first week of December.

"At this time of year it's not unusual to get a brief cold snap with snow, but cold weather of this magnitude and length for November and the start of December is quite unusual.

"Snow showers will start to effect the Northern Isles by Wednesday. Snow will extend further south later in the week with the north and northeast taking the brunt of the bad weather.

"The east of the country, including the capital, could see a spell of snow late in the week too. Transport disruption is likely in these areas."

He added: "Over areas with lying snow temperatures will nose dive at night and we can expect temperatures to fall well below freezing.

"Glens in Highland areas could well see the mercury lower to around -10C to -15C (14F-5F) by the weekend. Daytime temperatures will most likely stay below freezing in many areas with snow cover and at best reach 1-2C (34F-36F) in areas where it is dry and bright.

"It's impossible to say if this is the start of another cold and severe winter but the building blocks are in place for a very cold start to the season at least.

"Winds at times will be strong later in the week leading to significant wind chill especially in northern and eastern parts of the country. It will feel sub-zero in most regions in the wind."

But though forecasters said it was still too early to predict a white Christmas, bookmakers Coral have begun to slash their odds.

Aberdeen is now the 3-1 favourite (from 4-1), while the odds in Edinburgh have fallen to 5-1 (from 6-1), and are at 7-1 in London and Cardiff, where they previously stood at 8-1.

• STV weatherman Sean Batty's full forecast for your region