The UK is set for a sharp drop in temperatures this week, with the Met Office warning of frost, chilly mornings, and a brief return to winter-like conditions following a warm Bank Holiday weekend and a recent 25C spell.
A cold Arctic air mass is expected to move south on Tuesday and Wednesday, shifting winds into a northerly direction and bringing a significant drop in temperatures across the country.
Forecasters say rural areas in northern England and Scotland could see overnight temperatures fall as low as -5C, with widespread frost expected in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan, conditions are likely to turn notably colder overnight as winds ease and skies clear.
“As the isobars space apart, the winds will ease down and that’s a recipe for not only one or two fog patches, but also a much colder night,” he said. “So in the countryside we can see a fairly widespread frost to begin the day on Wednesday. In more northern parts of the UK, -4C or -5C is possible in some prone rural spots, so gardeners and growers, take note of that, we may have some damaging frost.”
The coldest day of the week is expected to be Wednesday, with temperatures around 5C below the seasonal average for May.
Despite the cold snap, conditions are expected to gradually improve towards the end of the week. Temperatures will begin to recover on Thursday, reaching around 14C to 15C in southern England, although northern Scotland may remain cooler at 9C to 10C.
Scotland is also expected to see more cloud and scattered showers on Thursday, particularly in the northwest, with breezier conditions. England and Wales, however, are forecast to remain largely dry with occasional sunshine.
By Friday, brighter conditions are expected to return, with strong May sunshine helping temperatures rise to around 16C to 18C in some areas.
The broader forecast suggests a mixed pattern for the remainder of the week. While many areas will start off dry with sunny spells and cool conditions, showers are expected to become more frequent by Friday, with rain possible in parts of southern England by Saturday.
The Met Office summary states: dry conditions for most areas at first with variable cloud and sunny spells, though scattered showers may affect northern regions. The cold air will dominate midweek before gradually giving way to milder and more unsettled weather later on.
As the UK moves through the week, the main message from forecasters is clear: expect a cold midweek shock, followed by a slow return to more typical May conditions.