UK weather: Wintry showers and chilly winds set to welcome British Summer Time this weekend

After hail and snow were seen in parts of England and Scotland on Wednesday, a cold front is expected to bring cold and windy conditions to the UK over the weekend.

With the influence of Arctic winds, temperatures remained between 5 and 10 degrees, but it felt more like freezing; The Met Office has warned that the weather will remain unstable in the coming days.

Snow also fell in some parts of Scotland on Wednesday night, reaching a depth of 6 cm at Tulloch Bridge and 2 cm at Aviemore.

While hail and ice were seen in London and Devon, there were showers across the country.

On Thursday, daytime strong northwest winds carrying cooler Arctic air were expected to shift to a milder west or southwest direction.

There will be sunny breaks, clouds and rain will fall over Northern Ireland and the western parts of the UK, but the cold will be less felt.

Temperatures will return to average on Friday, between 7 and 13 degrees, but those hoping for a sunny weekend will be sorely mistaken as heavy showers and scattered rain are expected.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: “After a period of mild and bright weather, the UK will become increasingly unsettled over the coming days. A series of weather fronts will bring periods of rain, strong winds and much colder weather by midweek.”

Temperatures will range between 6 and 10 degrees, but will feel close to single digits due to wind.

“The weather should be a little milder by the end of the week, and rain will be seen again in many areas on Friday,” he added.

British Summer Time (BST) also begins on Sunday, with clocks jumping forward an hour to allow for another hour of daylight.

Looking ahead to next week, drier, more stable conditions are expected in the south of England, while cooler interludes and showers are expected in the North.

Met Office’s five-day weather forecast

Thursday

Showers in north-east Scotland will ease in the early morning hours. Most areas remain dry and bright before clouds, rain and strengthening winds then reach Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. Feeling lighter than Wednesday but still pretty cold.

Nighty

A milder night with heavy, widespread clouds and rain in the western hills. The South East may remain clearer due to scattered frost. Clearer skies and showers then reach north-west Scotland.

Friday

Rain returns Friday and moves southeast throughout the day. In the north the sky is sunnier, but once again cooler due to showers and strong winds.

Outlook from Saturday to Monday

Sunny weather and showers are coming on Saturday, and winter and winds are coming in the north. Sunday sees heavy rain, followed by brighter, showery and windy weather. Monday is mostly cloudless and dry before rain arrives.