After a brief spell of warmer weather, the UK is set to experience a sharp drop in temperatures, with forecasts predicting snow, frost, and blustery conditions across the country.
The UK is bracing for a wintry blast as an Arctic front is expected to bring a sharp drop in temperatures, snow, and blustery conditions across the country. After a week of warmer weather influenced by winds from Spain and Portugal, the Met Office has forecasted a significant change, with meteorologist Craig Snell warning of temperatures plummeting as low as 5°C. This sudden shift marks a return to colder weather conditions characteristic of the season, despite the recent mild weather.
The forthcoming unsettled weather includes expectations of overnight frost and potential snowfall on higher ground in Scotland and northern England. The Met Office also predicts that the blustery and colder conditions could persist into the weekend, with wind and rain expected to affect the UK from Monday onwards, particularly in southern regions.
The Easter bank holiday weekend is anticipated to be particularly unsettled, with lower than average temperatures and the likelihood of rain, cloud, and wind across the country. London and the South East are expected to face harsher conditions. Travelers may also face disruptions due to train strikes announced by Aslef, affecting various train companies from April 5 to 8.
WXCharts indicates that from April 4, snow showers are expected to hit parts of Scotland, extending into northern England by April 5. This 257-mile wall of snow affecting the upper parts of Scotland could bring about 2cm of snow per hour in some areas. The colder weather is predicted to bring heavy downpours in the southwest and the potential for storms across the country, with fears of flood alerts and weather warnings from the Met Office.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests unsettled weather for late March into early April, with rain or showers, strong winds, and temperatures slightly below normal. Despite a brief spell of spring-like conditions recently, the UK must prepare for more wintry weather with snow and rain predicted for significant portions of the country, affecting both northern and southern regions alike.
As spring officially started last week, earlier indications of changing climate were noted, including reports of early leafing on trees. The Woodland Trust recorded elder trees leafing up to 16 days earlier than the 20-year average, following the warmest February on record. Despite these early signs of spring, the UK is on alert for an extended period of wintry conditions.
