Temperatures plunge as low as -5C in dramatic shift as Met Office warns freezing winds & cold spell to hit UK this week
TEMPERATURES plunged to as low as -5C overnight in a dramatic shift away from scorching heat felt across the UK last week.
The Met Office has also now warned that freezing winds and a cold spell will sweep across the country over the next few days, bringing with it chillier conditions.
Overnight, the hamlet of Altnaharra in northern Scotland saw temperatures drop to a staggering -4.7C in a “chilly” start to Tuesday.
Meanwhile in England, temperatures their lowest in the village of Shap (-2.7C), while Katesbridge in Northern Ireland was a chilly -2.3C overnight.
For Wales, the village of Sennybridge felt the coldest overnight, reaching a low of -2.1C.
This comes just days after Brits basked in 29C sunshine in the hottest start to May since records began.
Now, the Met Office has warned that that the UK is to experience a noticeable drop in temperatures as high pressure systems from last week’s weather clash with low pressure ones.
As cold winds come in from the North Sea, temperatures are expected to drop closer to average for this time of year, and perhaps even “a touch below” this.
Tonight, heading into tomorrow morning, there could be “a touch of frost” in places, particularly in rural spots, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan warned.
On Wednesday, he said conditions are expected to be “cloudy with sunny spells” across much of the UK, with temperatures in the south pushing towards the high teens.
By Thursday, however, it is expected to be “quite a cold day” as low pressure brings in a northerly flow of chilly wind.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin explained: “The pressure will generally remain high through the next week or so but the temperatures, not so much.
Met Office five-day forecast
Today: Generally dry today with sunny spells.
Skies will be rather cloudy at times across eastern England, with a few showers at times.
Feeling warm in the sunshine, but cooler in a brisk wind across the southeast.
Tonight: Dry for most, but a few showers continuing along eastern coasts.
Clear spells will allow temperatures to fall and a patchy frost.
A few mist and fog patches also possible.
Wednesday: Most places will be fine and dry with sunny intervals.
Rather warm in the west, but a touch cooler in the southeast with a strong breeze and a few showers.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Staying mostly dry, with sunny intervals and a few isolated showers.
Feeling warm in the sunny spells, but chilly at time around southern coasts with brisk winds. Chilly nights.
“There is an increasing chance of more showers on Monday, across parts of the east with western areas probably favoured for the sunshine, but those temperatures much closer to average and even a touch below with those winds coming in off the North Sea.
“Some of the models show that low pressure is closer bringing a northerly flow and that would bring quite a cold day on Thursday, so it is going to be a question of where the high and the low sits.”
This comes just one day after the Met Office warned of a “chilly start” to VE Day celebrations this week.
Brits had to pack away their barbecues after soaking up the 29C sun last week, as bright but brisk weather hit on Monday.
The Met Office said temperatures plunged from the near-30s down to the single digits on Bank Holiday Monday.
Monday started off at a bitter 3C in Southampton, Aberdeen, and Oxford, while other parts of the UK did not stray too far from these chilly conditions.
Norwich and Hull stood at 5C, while Manchester and Newcastle only just about bumped their morning temperatures up on Monday to 6C.