Weather maps show temperatures plunging to as low as -6C later this month with heavy snow in areas after spell of balmy conditions where we could see the warmest day of the year so far
Brits looking forward to balmy conditions this week are facing should make the most of it before a -6C Arctic blast hits.
A weekend cold snap is giving way to a spell of mild weather as low pressure systems move away northwards and the UK is influenced by two highs from southern and central Europe.
For sun lovers we are set to see the warmest days of the year so far with Met Office maps showing the temperatures peaking at 20C in western England and Wales on Wednesday – making it hotter than holiday hotspots like Ibiza.
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Temperatures could hit 18C quite widely in England while in Northern Ireland and Scotland it is expected to be a few notches cooler.
But it will be too early for anyone thinking of putting away hats and gloves until next year as it temperatures will plunge again at the end of the month.
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A series of low pressures sweep in and bring with them cold polar air which could see the mercury dropping to -5C in Scotland and it may dip to -6C in Wales. Elsewhere the temperatures are near or below zero.
Maps from WXCharts show thick snow falling on March 30 in the Midlands and as well as central and northern Wales. There are also flurries predicted for northern England and Scotland.
The Met Office forecast for March 21-30 states that at the start of this period there will be a high pressure in charge making it “predominantly dry”.
And it continues: “Temperatures will be close to or a little above average, although for parts of the south it will feel cooler than earlier in the week with a brisk easterly wind starting to develop.
“Overall though is spells of spring sunshine it should feel quite pleasant. How long the settled conditions last is less certain with some signals that showers / rain could return later in the period, most likely to the south.”
Before that though we have a week of warm conditions to look forward to with Dan Harris, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, saying: “Wednesday looks likely to be the warmest day of the week for many, with high pressure dominant.
“The warmest spots are likely to be in parts of west Wales and western England, where under sunny skies, 18-19C, possibly even 20C is on the cards. This is due to the additional boost expected from the passage of east to south-easterly winds over areas of higher ground, known as the Foehn effect.
“There’ll be a big diurnal range this week, which is the difference between the maximum daytime temperature and minimum overnight temperature. Thanks to the clear skies during the day, we’ll see some chilly nights after the warmer days with a few places experiencing air frost.”
