WEATHER ALERT AS BIG FREEZE IS ON ITS WAY BACK
FREEZING temperatures, snow and storms are going to give Britons a shock to the system this week.
Thermometers are about to plunge from last week which brought the hottest day of the year so far.
Bitter Arctic winds will bring a risk of snow to parts of the country with everywhere turning colder by midweek.
Forecasters blame a change in wind direction as mild southerly breezes are nudged out by -4C (24.8F) polar air this week.
The Met Office warned of a “messy” few days ahead with bitter nights, frosty mornings and heavy showers in store.
It said thermometers will drop to -4C overnight in Scotland and the North while the South could dip to about -1C. Daytime temperatures by midweek will struggle to get much above single figures in the South with highs of 4C elsewhere.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said: “We are in for a change to colder conditions this week and it will come as a shock to the system after the recent warm weather. The cold will spread across the country from Monday with many places getting close to freezing on Tuesday night with heavy, blustery showers and snow in the North possibly down to lower levels.
“Overall it is a very messy week ahead, we expect spells of rain which could be heavy with thunder and hail in the South.
“There could be an ice risk which would warrant issuing a warning, again, because people have become used to the milder weather. They should be prepared for this.”
He said thermometers will dip close to freezing overnight in most parts of the country towards the middle of the week.
Heavy downpours hit parts of the North yesterday putting the region at risk of flooding over the coming days.
The Met Office yesterday issued a severe weather warning for more than 1.5in of rain in some areas.
Mr Wilson added: “Heavy rain will affect Cumbria and Lancashire on Sunday and given they have had a lot already we could see some issues with localised flooding.
“There are signs it will turn more settled towards next weekend but we are in a polar maritime airflow so it will feel much colder.”
WeatherOnline forecaster John Ejdowski said the weather will turn around midweek with strong winds making it feel bitterly cold.
He said: “High pressure develops to the North later in the week as strong north-east winds bring temperatures down to below normal.
“Frosts then develop in the North with the South windy too.”
“Friday will be cold with temperatures below normal, strong north-east winds will make it feel even colder.
“A few rain and snow showers may affect North Sea coasts. It will be dry and cold by night with a sharp frost in the North.”