Issued: 0900hrs Thursday 20th April 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

An unusually cold week ahead

A bitterly cold Arctic air mass is expected to sweep south across the country early next week, bringing a late blast of winter. There will be heavy showers, with hail and thunder, plus snow falling to low levels at times. Temperatures will struggle to make double figures, and overnight frost and ice is likely.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Sunday 23/04/17
A frosty night is likely as skies clear. High pressure resides across the south, whilst low pressure moves across northern Scotland. Generally dry for most, with good spells of sunshine in the south, but cloud thickening in the north. Fronts bring showery rain or hill snow to northern Scotland. Freshening westerly winds, later turning north-westerly. Highs 13 to 16C for central & southern Britain, but nearer 10C in Scotland.

Monday 24/04/17
A cold front drifts southwards, introducing significantly colder air across the British Isles. Showers spreading from the north - some heavy bursts, with hail and thunder, and snow to low levels in heavier showers. Areas from the Midlands south are likely to stay mostly dry with sunny spells, although a few showers are possible later. A north-westerly breeze, strongest in the north. Highs 6 to 9C north, 10 to 13C south.

Tuesday 25/04/17
A very cold north to north-westerly wind is likely to produce a showery day for most regions, with some heavy bursts becoming locally frequent around exposed coasts in the north. Expect hail, thunder and snow falling to low levels almost anywhere, but any accumulations brief away from the hills. Brief bright sunshine, although central areas often sunny. Top temperatures just 7 to 10C, but colder where showers persist.

Wednesday 26/04/17
High pressure will reside to the west, whilst low pressure remains to the east. A cold northerly pattern continues. Sunshine and heavy wintry showers, these most frequent in eastern coastal districts, but showers likely to affect north facing coasts elsewhere. Temperatures 7 to 11C, warmest on the south coast.

Thursday 27/04/17
Pressure is likely to build from the west, reducing the number of showers, and bringing a good deal of sunshine. Any showers still wintry, with hail or snow falling to low levels. Frost overnight. Staying chilly by day, highs 8 to 12C.

Friday 28/04/17
Detail is uncertain, but pressure may build to the south-west, whilst fronts are likely to move in from the Atlantic. The result is a changeable, but slightly milder pattern, with most rain focused on the north-west. Highs 7 to 12C.