The Met Office has issued warnings for cold weather across the UK, with temperatures expected to drop to as low as -3C in northern England and Scotland. Eastern England is also forecasted to experience significantly low temperatures due to northerly winds. These conditions are anticipated to lead to snowfall on higher ground and at elevated levels, particularly in northern and eastern parts of the country.

Meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer from the Met Office noted that the cooler than average temperatures, hovering around 10C in the southeast compared to a typical 14-15C for April, are driven by Arctic northerly winds. This cold snap is expected to persist into the weekend, although a gradual warming trend could see temperatures rise slightly above season averages by Sunday.

Aside from the cold, unsettled weather including showers and brisk winds are also predicted for the weekend and the start of May. Southern areas of the UK may experience heavy rain and potential thunderstorms due to an area of low pressure moving over the region.

Despite the chill, the strength of the sun during this period remains high, comparable to late August, posing a risk of sunburn. The latest updates reflect that temperatures will see a gradual increase, but rain is expected to return as the wind direction shifts over the weekend.

BBC Weather’s Simon King has suggested that last week’s warmer temperatures, which nearly reached 22C in southeast England and 20C in Northern Ireland, will give way to colder than average conditions. There is also a possibility of the return of Arctic air over the upcoming bank holiday weekend, although uncertainties remain in the long-range forecast.

For those preparing for the weekend and early May, staying informed about the latest weather updates is advisable due to the changing conditions and potential for further cold spells.