Snow, rain and gale-force winds forecast as cold snap hits UK this week

Forecasters are predicting that the UK will be hit by a cold snap later this week, bringing the prospect of hail and snow for some parts of the country.

The mild temperatures seen over the weekend are not going to last, and the mercury is set to drop in the coming days.

An arctic air flow is being blamed for the falling temperatures - bringing a cocktail of wintry showers, rain and gale-force winds.

Met Office meteorologist Charles Powell warned it could be even colder than last week, with northerly gales blasting the UK.

He said: "It's quite quiet as we start the week, but on Tuesday we will see a small change that will paint a picture, as slightly wet and windy weather develops across northwest Scotland.

"On Wednesday there will be gales across the UK with a band of rain working its way across the west.

"By Thursday morning the rain starts to clear and opens the door for some really cold weather, especially across the northern half of the UK.

"Temperatures will struggle to get much above 5C or 6C (41F to 43F)."

The first snow flurries fell across the North and even in London last week, and there will be plenty more to come. Overnight frost and ice is also likely to increase in the coming days.

Sky's weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "This is a really interesting week of weather with some dramatic changes from Wednesday onwards.

"It starts on a fairly quiet note with high pressure to the southwest of us, bringing mainly fine if rather cloudy weather. Temperatures will be slightly above the average at 9C to 11C - 52F with a light breeze.

"On Tuesday the winds will start to pick up and although most places will have another dry, fairly cloudy day, outbreaks of rain will set in across northwest Scotland.

"Wednesday will see a deep Atlantic depression sweep in southerly gales and heavy rain, the heaviest bursts are forecast for western Scotland where 80mm to 100mm (4in) is possible. It should be dry and mild further south and east but rain will set in there later.

"Wednesday night will be a wet and very windy night for all, perhaps with some damaging winds across the north, but the rain should clear the southeast late Thursday morning.

"Be prepared for a significant wind chill from then on as cold Arctic air plunges southwards. As well as feeling cold, there is an increasing threat of sleet and snow showers feeding down across the country. Snow is likely at low levels in Scotland on Thursday but to low levels in some southern parts of Britain on Friday."