Britain to shiver with cold snap bringing chance of snow and temperatures of 3C after warmest day of the year

Britain is heading for chilling cold and even the possibility of snow next week, just days after its first taste of glorious sunshine.

Last week the UK experienced some of its hottest weather ever, with temperatures reaching as high as 20C (68F) in some areas; The hottest day of the year was recorded at Gogerddan in Wales on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching almost 23C.

But forecasters have warned of a ‘major change’ in weather conditions in the coming weeks and a ‘cold fall’ where temperatures, which are ‘well below average’ for this time of year, will drop into single digits by Wednesday.

The Met Office said the rain and wind will ease towards the weekend but temperatures are likely to remain cold, with the risk of frost, hail and thunder in some areas overnight.

As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to remain above or slightly below average for this time of year.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said temperatures would be in single digits for most until Wednesday, when the ‘cold fall’ begins.

He added that these figures would be ‘maximum’, so people could expect the weather to get colder at night.

Mr Deakin said areas in northern Scotland may need to prepare for snowfall on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, which could be a ‘shock to the system’ after sunny conditions this week.

Scotland recorded its hottest day of the year on Friday, with a peak of 20.2C recorded at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire.

Mr Deakin said: ‘We could easily see some snow over the hills in Scotland.

Met Office’s temperature forecast for England on Wednesday as a ‘cold dip’

Last glimpse of this week’s sun as it rises over London this morning with cold air heading towards the UK next week

‘There’s nothing unusual about it at this time of year, but you’ll feel different because it’s been so hot and sunny for most of us lately, so you’ll get that shock to the system.’

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: ‘Some showers could bring heavy hail and thunder along with some snow to the central hills and possibly minor accumulations.

Ice may also develop in some places on both Tuesday and Wednesday night.

‘Strong winds from the north will cause the weather to get colder on Wednesday.

‘Temperatures range from 6 to 10 degrees, but in many windy areas temperatures will be felt close to low single figures.

‘Temperatures will be well below average for this time of year; That’s around 11C for the UK.’

It comes as Britons flocked out this week to enjoy the hottest day of the year as temperatures reached 20C.

The highest temperature was 20.9C (69.6F) recorded at Gogerddan in Wales on Wednesday afternoon, while it was 20.2C (68.4F) at Northolt in West London, England, the Met Office confirmed.

This was above the 2026 UK high of 19.2C (66.6F) recorded at Northolt on 5 March; this level surpassed 18.7C (65.7F) at Kew Gardens on February 25.

The UK was also warmer than many European holiday destinations on Wednesday, including Faro in the Algarve (17C/63F), Ibiza and Malta (both 16C/61F) and Corfu (15C/59F).

Wednesday was also the first time the UK reached 20C (68F) in more than five months. The last time Northolt reached 20C was on 6 October 2025 at 21.4C (70.5F).

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said this week’s high temperatures were due to warm air being pulled up from further south in Europe.

He said: ‘We experience this so often at this time of year, we sometimes joke that the horn goes off every day on the hottest day of the year.’

The Met Office said rain and wind will ease towards the weekend but temperatures are likely to remain cold, with the threat of overnight frost in some areas (Image: People enjoying the spring sunshine on Wimbledon Common in south-west London on Saturday)

The Met Office said temperatures were expected to remain above or fall slightly below average for this time of year as the week progressed (Image: Hyacinth flowers illuminated by the sun in Reading, Berkshire on Saturday)

Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said temperatures would be in single digits for most until Wednesday, when the ‘cold snap’ begins (Image: People enjoying the spring sunshine on Wimbledon Common in south-west London on Saturday)

It comes after Britons flocked out this week to enjoy the hottest day of the year today, when temperatures reached 20°C (Image: Rowers at Putney on the River Thames on Saturday)

Stunning pictures show thousands of daffodils in bloom outside a medieval castle as spring finally arrives

The dazzling footage was captured by Emma Giles, who flew a drone over the famous landmark

Meanwhile, photographer Simon Woodley captured a stunning sunset over Penshaw Monument overlooking Sunderland on Saturday night.

Forecasters said the sunny forecast was also due to warm southerly winds and high pressure, as well as a phenomenon known as the Foehn effect.

This is due to east-to-southeast winds moving over highlands.

Looking further ahead, the Met Office’s long-term forecast calls for ‘variable and at times unstable conditions for many parts of the UK’ from next week.

At the beginning of April high pressure ‘may become more dominant once again with plenty of dry air, but fog and frost may also occur overnight’.

Stunning pictures show thousands of daffodils in bloom outside a medieval castle as spring finally arrives.

Golden yellow flowers cover the hillsides of the castle of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland.

The dazzling image was captured by Emma Giles, who was flying a drone over the famous landmark.

He said: ‘It’s been a long and wet winter but suddenly, as if overnight, the daffodils have come alive in Warkworth.

‘Locals and holidaymakers are always waiting for the Warkworth daffodils to bloom. This is a sure sign that spring has finally arrived.’

Meanwhile, photographer Simon Woodley captured a stunning sunset over Penshaw Monument overlooking Sunderland on Saturday night.