UK faces risk of frost and ice as temperatures to fall as low as -5C
Cold and frosty weather is expected in the UK after the mercury surpassed 20C last week.
The Met Office said unstable weather conditions will spread across the country as temperatures drop and there is a risk of frost and ice in parts of the UK. There are currently no weather alerts available.
This comes after last week’s warm and bright weather saw the hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday, with a temperature of 20.9 degrees recorded in Wales.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said rain, strong winds and cold weather would replace the mild front seen in England last week by midweek.
“Following mild and bright weather, Britain will become increasingly restless in the coming days,” he said. “A range of weather patterns will bring occasional rain, strong winds and much colder weather through mid-week. Wednesday could be a big shock to the system.”
He added: “Temperatures will range from 6°C to 10°C, although in many windy areas temperatures will feel closer to the low single figures.
“Showers are expected, especially in the higher elevations in the north, and widespread frost (including icing for some) is possible on Wednesday night. The weather will be slightly milder by the end of the week, and rain will be seen again in many areas on Friday.”
According to the forecaster, Tuesday will be wet and windy for many; Parts of northern England and Wales will experience heavy, persistent rain. Heavy showers will move into Scotland and Northern Ireland, with hail and thunder as well as wintry showers at higher elevations.
Temperatures will turn cold on Wednesday; Large-scale rain will turn into sleet and hail showers, and snowfall is likely in the higher elevations in the north.
It will be a stormy day elsewhere. Even though there will be some sunshine, the weather will be cold due to the coolness of the wind. Temperatures will drop overnight (potentially down to -5C in rural Scotland), with widespread frost overnight for many and the first frost in the north on Thursday morning.
Most places remain dry on Thursday due to sunny weather, but clouds and rain will later fall over Northern Ireland and the west.
Temperatures are moving closer to average from Friday, but further weather systems may affect the UK over the weekend, most likely northern areas.
This week’s Met Office forecast
Tonight and Tonight:
Rain will fall southwards into Northern Ireland and Northern England this evening and overnight, with strong winds. Frequent showers are expected in Scotland. It remains largely dry in the south, with a few areas of fog and fog in southern England. Light.
Tuesday:
A wet and windy day in the north, with heavy rain in parts of northern England. Heavy rain continues in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is generally brighter towards south-east England.
Outlook from Wednesday to Friday:
The weather will get colder in the next few days. Wednesday will be sunny with thunderstorms and snow in the hills. It will be drier on Thursday, and cloudy and showery on Friday.
