It might be spring but winter is on its way back this week, with sleet and snow showers in the forecast, and the BBC weather forecast is showing that it could fall on lower ground in southern area of the country. BBC forecaster Ben Rich says it is going to come as "a shock to the system" especially for area, like Wales, that saw 18°C on Monday.
His colleague, Darren Betts, said that snow "could fall anywhere during the course of the week". The cold spell is a severe contrast to the spring-like weather we have enjoyed over the past week with highs of 20°C in places.
Winds from the north will bring the cold air down the UK through the course of the week with the Met Office forecast for Wales on Wednesday saying that outbreaks of rain could possible mix with sleet and snow over the hills. The forecasting service's outlook for Thursday to Saturday says: "Much colder than of late with overnight frosts and a mixture of sunny/clear spells and showers, these falling as a mixture of rain, sleet, hail and possibly snow at times."
READ MORE: How there will be a wind chill of -14°C on Snowdon this week.
The BBC forecast is also showing the possibility of snow to lower levels. Forecaster Ben Rich said: "Colder air will be sweeping south was over the next few days and it will turn cold enough for some of us to see some snow.
"The weather front will be making some more progress southwards during Wednesday bringing some rain along it, but also some sleet and some snow. Much of the snow along the weather front will initially be falling over the hills, but we could see some getting down to low levels say across parts of northern England.
"During Wednesday night into Thursday, there could be a covering of snow even down towards the south, especially over the hills, but possibly at low levels. There will be sunny spells and wintry showers into Thursday with a brisk north or northeast wind that is going to feel cold. Temperatures at best between five and 10 degrees so the days are rather chilly as we head through the rest of the week.
"There will be some showers of rain. sleet and snow. Some sunny spells as well but I mentioned the chilly days there will be some cold nights as well, with a widespread frost developing in many areas from midweek onwards."
It is not entirely unusual to see snow this late in the year. Last year, the Met Office issues snow warnings for parts of Wales over the Easter weekend, which was the first weekend in April. You can read more about those warnings here.
In 2013, Arctic winds swept across Wales at the end of March. The unseasonal conditions hit during lambing season and saw special carcass disposal measures brought in by the Welsh Government. You can read more about that and see some of the baby lambs that were rescued here.
