Snow and temperatures below freezing are set to hit parts of the UK following days of spring sunshine.
Heavy rain, strong winds, and sleet and hail are also expected to engulf some areas of the country, as unsettled weather spreads across the UK.
After the country recorded its warmest day of the year so far last week – reaching 20.9C in Wales on Wednesday – the Met Office warns temperatures will fall this week, bringing the risk of frost and ice for some.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: “After a spell of mild and brighter weather, the UK will turn increasingly unsettled in the coming days. A series of weather fronts will bring periods of rain, strong winds and much colder air by midweek. Wednesday could be quite a shock to the system.
“Temperatures will range from 6C to 10C, but it will feel closer to low single figures for many areas in the wind. Wintry showers are likely, especially over higher ground in the north, and a widespread frost – with icy patches for some – is possible on Wednesday night. It should be a little milder again by the end of the week, with many areas seeing another spell of rain on Friday.”
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick added: “Some showers will be heavy with some hail and thunder, and may bring some snow to modest hills, with small accumulations likely.”
She said temperatures are widely expected to be below average for the time of year, which is around 11C for the UK, marking a “big change” from last week.
Tuesday looks to be a wet and windy day for many, according to the forecaster, with heavy, persistent rain across parts of northern England and Wales. Blustery showers are set to move into Scotland and Northern Ireland, with hail and thunder possible, as well as wintry showers over higher ground.
By Wednesday, the Met Office says it will feel “markedly” colder across all parts, with potentially widespread rain, sleet and hail showers, and snow likely over higher ground in the north. Elsewhere, it is expected to be a blustery day and will feel cold despite some sunshine due to the wind.
A windy start to Tuesday with rain moving across the north
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 23, 2026
Rain can be persistent and heavy at times and lead to some surface water issues in places
Drier further south but staying cloudy pic.twitter.com/dBSOVqGmGe
The weather service predicts temperatures will then fall on Wednesday night – potentially to as low as -5C in rural Scotland – with a widespread frost likely for most overnight, and ice at first in the north on Thursday morning.
Most places are forecast to remain dry with sunny spells on Thursday, although clouds and rain are set to push into Northern Ireland and western parts later on.
Temperatures then return closer to average from Friday onwards, according to the Met Office, although further weather systems may impact the UK at the weekend, most likely affecting northern areas.
