Parts of North Wales could wake up to freezing temperatures and frost over the next few mornings, with inland communities expected to feel the cold more than those along the coast.

The Met Office is forecasting a widespread overnight frost across Wales as colder air moves in, with temperatures potentially dropping to zero degrees in some areas.

The difference is particularly noticeable between the coast and inland communities.

Along the North Wales coast, including Colwyn Bay, Rhyl and Llandudno, overnight temperatures are expected to remain around 4 or 5 degrees, with daytime highs of around 9 degrees.

But further inland, the picture is considerably colder.

In the Conwy Valley, the forecast for Betws-y-Coed includes overnight temperatures close to freezing, with a low of around zero degrees expected on Friday morning.

Further east, around Llangollen, temperatures could also fall to zero on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

Ruthin could be even colder, with the Met Office forecasting a low of minus one degree on Thursday morning, followed by temperatures around freezing on Friday.

Around Bala and the higher ground of Eryri, overnight temperatures are also expected to approach freezing, with daytime highs struggling to reach much above 6 or 8 degrees.

Thursday is expected to bring plenty of sunshine once any early mist and fog have cleared, but it will feel cold throughout the day.

Friday should also be largely dry and bright, although temperatures will remain low. There is another risk of frost overnight into Saturday, particularly away from the coast.

Saturday is expected to stay cold, with a mixture of sunshine and cloud. By Sunday, conditions should become milder, with temperatures recovering to around 8 or 9 degrees in many inland areas, although cloud and some rain are expected to return.

The colder weather comes as Christmas shopping begins to gather pace, with shoppers heading into town centres across North Wales in search of presents and festive bargains.

Anyone travelling early in the morning, particularly along rural roads through the Conwy Valley and across higher ground, should be prepared for the possibility of icy patches and reduced visibility where mist or fog develops.

The Met Office says the colder spell is expected to give way to more unsettled and milder conditions as next week begins.

For now, however, it looks like winter is making its presence felt across North Wales, even if the coldest conditions are expected away from the coast.