Forecasters are warning that chilly, wintry conditions will stick around after gardeners were urged to ‘bring inside’ any plants they had planted during the warm start spring
It’s officially springtime – but Britain’s weather will feel more like winter for a while, according to forecasters.
Gardeners were urged last night by the Met Office to “bring inside” any plants they had put out in the garden during last week’s warmer spell as the mercury dropped back below freezing, with widespread frosts and icy patches expected across the country this morning.
These cooler, wetter conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend and into next week, as one new weather map from WXCharts shows temperatures below freezing in many areas of the country on April 2.
The Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, the Scottish Borders, the Highlands and some parts of southern England are among those set to see overnight lows between -2C and -3C, with only a few areas nudging above the 0C mark.
READ MORE: Storm Therese horror as tourists find dead body after Tenerife weather warningsREAD MORE: Snow buries UK as Met Office forecast reveals where more could fall in April
But the far southwest will buck the trend, as highs up to 7C are expected in Cornwall the same morning. This unwelcome return to wintry conditions is thanks to a change in the direction of incoming fronts, according to the Met Office, who warned rain and even a few snow showers would be likely by this evening.
In her forecast for today, Meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “A very cold start to Thursday morning. Sub-zero across many areas and yes, a few showers in the mix. Certainly, these showers will be frequent across Shetland, Orkney through the first part of the morning. A mix of rain, hail, as well as snow.
“And then quieter conditions as we head through morning, heading out to school and work. You’ll see some sunshine, which will be pleasant, a lighter wind away from this east coast. But notice across Northern Ireland, the cloud will thicken and we’ll see some showery bursts of rain.
“Rain will be making inroads across western Scotland by around mid-morning through into the afternoon. You can see this wet weather marching towards central parts of Scotland, lunchtime into the afternoon, eastern areas as well and further spells of wet weather for Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man as well as Northern England. The cloud will thicken across the far north of Wales, but elsewhere you’ll see some fine weather to end Thursday.
UK weather forecast
Thursday:
Thursday will start mostly fine with some sunshine. It will gradually turn cloudy, wet and breezy in the north. Meanwhile, much of England and Wales will remain dry and bright.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Rain moves southeastwards on Thursday night, giving wet weather in the south on Friday. Turning clearer, colder and showery from the northwest, ahead of wet and windy weather on Sunday.
Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Wed 25 Mar 202
