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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
James Rodger & Joel Moore & Graeme Murray

UK weather: Snow, rain and ice to end nation's sunny spell in matter of days

Forecasters from the Met Office say snow and ice will soon return to the UK, ending a run of balmy conditions.

The UK has enjoyed a recent string of warm and sunny days, giving us false hope that summer weather was here.

But as early as next week meteorologists say sunshine conditions will end this by Saturday or Sunday.

In some places there has been glorious temperatures of 19C and 20C highs, with seemingly endless sunshine.

But a cold snap has been forecast by the BBC and WXCharts in Scotland, with snow expected next week.

Flurries will arrive as early as Wednesday, but forecasters from The Met Office have said "below average temperatures" should come to an end later in April, BirminghamLive reports.

People enjoy the weather in Southsea, Hampshire today (PA)

“There are some big changes in the weather pattern on the way but not just yet,” said BBC forecaster Darren Bett.

"Temperatures in rural areas will not be far away from freezing.

"There maybe a few pockets of frost and fog to start the day across Scotland and Northern Ireland but away from Northern Isles there is set to be more sunshine for Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday. Plenty of sunshine for England and Wales."

"Into next week though and this is where we see significant changes not least because we are going to start to see a northerly wind moving down and that will really drop the temperatures," said Mr Bett.

"As the high recedes early next week we have got the chance of seeing some rain and then that northerly wind arrives it will be much colder by day and also by night.”

People lapped-up the spring sunshine (PA)

Forecasters added: "Still settled for many at the start of next week but a trend to showery and colder conditions is expected to take place from the north from Monday.

"Showers will likely be focused on northern and eastern areas, potentially wintry over northern hills and at lower levels in the far northeast.

"Later next week and beyond, more unsettled conditions are likely with more frequent showers or longer spells of rain for many areas."

The return of snowy conditions could mean sledging for some (Getty Images)

Bright sunshine is expected to vanish from tomorrow with maximum temperatures in some areas dropping to 13C

These conditions are expected to remain until Wednesday when light rain is forecast

NottinghamshireLive reports the Met Office saying temperatures will be around 8C by the end of the week.

A spokesman said: "Monday and Tuesday similar to Sunday, with eventual sunny spells for many, but perhaps also a little rain.

"Colder, cloudier conditions with some rain moving south midweek. Temperatures trending downwards."

Snowy conditions could return after recent balmy weather (PA)

In the Met Office's long-range forecast for the UK, which spans from March 30 to April 8, it expects showers to become more prominent, and even says some snow showers may hit northern areas.

It reads: "Becoming more unsettled to start the period, northern areas will see increasing amounts of cloud with a few showers.

"Breezy and feeling cooler than recently in the far north, with the potential for some snow showers at low levels.

Motorists receive assistance in snowy conditions which affected parts of the country last month (Getty Images)

"Temperatures near average in the south. Becoming less settled and colder thereafter, with a mixture of sunshine and showers for most, in addition to an increased likelihood of wintry hazards, particularly to the north.

"Nearer to the end of this period, temperatures are expected to gradually recover to average, though overnight frost remains possible during clearer spells.

"Showers or longer spells of rain look to become more frequent, with drier periods most likely to be short-lived."

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