TEMPERATURES will take a battering today as a Nordic blast prepares to sweep across the country this weekend – bringing hail, sleet and snow for some.
Thermometers will struggle to get into double figures across the UK throughout Thursday – and may even plummet as low as -5C tonight.
The cold weather is set to last until the weekend, said Brian Gaze, meteorologist for The Weather Outlook.
He told The Sun Online: “Daytime temperatures will be below average and nights are likely to be particularly cold for mid April with widespread frosts.
“Temperatures could dip down to -5C locally, for example in the Welsh valleys on Saturday and Sunday morning.
“On the plus side there should be a lot of bright sunshine, although in the east scattered wintry showers are possible this weekend.”
SWITCHCRAFT is a free service that finds you the right energy deal - and you could save an average of £219 a year.
A fiver will be paid into your bank account within four months of completing the switch. prepayment meter customer customers will receive a £5 Amazon voucher. Open to those 18 and over. UK residents only. Click here for full T&Cs.
Today will see lows of 6C in northern Scotland, with Cardiff and London enjoying the warmest weather.
Forecasters say it will be mild in the sun but the icy Scandinavian wind will be very chilly.
Aidan McGivern, a forecaster from the Met Office, said: “The simple forecast for the vast majority is it’s just a sunny day and it will feel pleasant in the sunshine if you’re out of the wind, 13C or 14C.
“It will feel chilly in that wind though, it has quite an edge to it. It’s coming from the east, especially on that north sea coast.
“The wind will come in from the north sea and bring in some cloud with it on Wednesday night, one or two showers for the far north of Scotland for example.
“Where we get the cloud cover is largely staying frost free, but elsewhere a widespread frost from the south coast of England to the north of Scotland.”
It’s no Beast from the East but it’s fairly cold for April. A few degrees below normal for the time of year
Aidan McGivern
It will be cloudy in Northern Ireland, Scotland, central and eastern England – but the cold easterly wind may bring showers.
The warmest places will be Wales and the south west.
It will be even colder on Friday morning, with temperatures dropping below the April averages.
Mr McGivern added: “It’s no Beast from the East but it’s fairly cold for April. A few degrees below normal for the time of year.”
Later in the day there will be an increase in showers for central and southern Scotland to northern and eastern England.
The sunniest spots will be in the west, with temperatures of 10C to 11C in Belfast and Glasgow.
Around the coast there will be highs of 9C.
The south east could see some hail or sleet showers on Saturday and there could even be snow on the way.
John Hammond, chief meteorologist for Weathertrending, said: “Snowfall will not be widespread or disruptive, but as the very coldest air crosses the Continent and closes in on southeast England by Saturday, the air will turn more unstable.
He added: “Downdraught’s of frigid air may bring temperatures down close to freezing, allowing a few brief flurries of snow to reach the ground – a relatively rare event for so late in the year.
“Whilst the air will feel very cold nationwide, especially when exposed to the easterly wind, plenty of strong sunshine will help to ease the chill by day.
“Overnight, however, it’s a different story with hard and damaging frosts threatening some delicate spring blooms.”
The Met Office said the Easter weekend is set for a warm-up, with highs over 20C on the cards into late April and warm weather continuing into May.
Up to 24C around Easter and 26C from late April were forecast by The Weather Outlook.
Mr Gaze added: “Things look like warming up next week as we head towards the Easter period.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
