A cold Arctic maritime airmass pushing south across most of the country has brought unsettled conditions and morning frosts for many that contrast sharply with the recent warm weather seen across the UK.  

A Yellow warning for ice has been issued for northeastern areas and one for ice and snow in the far southeast of the UK, with the potential for icy patches and some disruption to travel. It will be windy in the east and southeast with local gales possible on the coasts of East Anglia and Kent. Wintry showers will continue to push south across the country through Friday, with a breezy day for many.  

Coupled with the sleet and snow is the drop in temperatures that many places have already been experiencing. Isolated rural areas in the north of Scotland could see temperatures as low as –8C by night later in the week, with sub-zero temperatures possible overnight for much of the UK.  

The unsettled theme will continue through the weekend, although temperatures will gradually recover to near-average over the weekend and into the start of next week. 

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said, “As cold air continues to be drawn down from the north there is the potential for wintry showers to affect almost any area of the UK. 

“Although there’s unlikely to be widespread accumulations of snow there is a risk of some disruption in eastern and southeastern areas. The best of any clear and sunny spells through the rest of this week are likely to be in the south and west of the UK, but it will definitely feel colder than it has over the last week or so.”  

The drop in temperatures is a risk for some of the nation’s gardeners. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Guy Barter said: “Colder weather will slow plant growth and inhibit plums and pears pollination as insects fly less in cold dull weather. 

“Limited rain will help new sowings of peas and carrots for example and newly planted lettuces and other plants but should not greatly delay sowing and planting once conditions improve. Tender plants, petunias and tomatoes for example, won’t be put outside for another month at least but lower light affects greenhouses and will slow their growth.”  

You can check the latest forecast on our website, by following us on Twitter and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store. Keep track of current weather warnings on the weather warning page.