The Met Office forecasts an unsettled picture for most of the UK in the coming days and temperatures are thought to soon drop from the balmy 14C high seen on Monday
Striking weather maps show daytime temperatures are set to soon feel as cold as -7C in the UK.
The mercury is expected to plunge signficantly in the coming days as winds increase from the east. The Met Office says an unsettled period looms with hail and thunder anticipated, and conditions said to “feel quite chilly” in the coming days.
It will be a stark contrast to Monday’s weather, which although was wet — with nearly three inches of rain falling across north Wales — was mild for the time of the year. The mercury hit 14C in Bude, Cornwall, and 13.6C in Pershore, Worcestershire.
New weather maps, issued by the forecasters at Metdesk, show a blue hue across the nation on Friday. By 3pm on Friday, it will feel as cold as -7C in some areas, and as cold as freezing as far south as Essex. The coldest places — the darker blue hues on the map below — include large swathes of Scotland.
The actual air temperature is likely to be warmer but Brits won’t feel this — because of sharp gusts from the east. These could be as strong as 70mph in some coastal areas, such as south Wales and Devon.
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As temperatures continue to drop into next week, snow is likely, meteorologists say. Blizzards are expected to be worst across north England, including Lancashire later in the week.
But first the weather will change with temperatures slowly falling. Concerning today’s picture, the Met Offive website says: “Scattered heavy blustery showers will continue in the south and west, these becoming more widespread, with hail and thunder.” Then for the next period including later in the week, it adds: “Generally temperatures will be close to average, but it will likely feel quite chilly in the often wet and breezy conditions.”
Netweather, a blog created by rival forecasters, concurs with the unsettled picture. The blog states: “Periods of strong winds are also possible, perhaps strong enough for one or two storms to be named affecting the UK. Temperatures generally around or a little above average, any snow confined to northern hills during colder polar maritime incursions behind lows clearing.”
The chilly conditions come off the back of downpours, for which the Met Office issued weather warnings for Monday. Wales so the worst of the weather, particularly on higher ground in the north of the nation, but the North West of England and the South West of England also saw a deluge.
The Met Office recorded 62mm of rain (more than two inches) in Shap, Cumbria and 38.8mm in Okehampton, Devon, which equates to around 1.5inches. As a result, there are flood warnings in place, including several alerts across East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.
