Several parts of the UK will see snow over the coming days (Image: Getty)
The UK is braced for wintry weather this week with sub-zero temperatures and 39 counties set for snow. Weather data from forecaster WXCharts.com shows several parts of the UK turning white from Wednesday as cold weather sweeps in from the Atlantic.
It comes despite warm temperatures last weekend that saw large parts of the country bathed in sunshine. The Met Office website said: “From Wednesday, it will feel markedly colder across all parts, with rain, sleet and hail showers potentially quite widely, and snow likely over higher ground in the north. Elsewhere, it will be a blustery day and although there is some sunshine on offer, it will feel cold thanks to the wind chill.
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Snow will fall over large parts on Wednesday (Image: WXCharts.com)
“Temperatures will fall overnight – potentially to -5°C in rural Scotland – with a widespread frost overnight likely for most, and ice at first in the north on Thursday morning.”
Weather maps from WXCharts.com show white patches over much of Britain, including northern Scotland, the North West of England, the Midlands, Wales and Southern England.
Snow will remain in several areas, with maps turning purple to indicate settled snow.
By Saturday, isolated snow showers will remain in Scotland, Wales, Hampshire and Berkshire.
Separately, a Met Office forecast for Thursday said: “Showers, some wintry, will continue overnight, especially in the far north, and across Wales, central and later southern parts of England.
The weather comes as temperatures plummet (Image: WXCharts.com)
Snow will remain until the weekend (Image: WXCharts.com)
“Otherwise clear periods will develop and the strong and gusty northwesterly wind will ease. Turning frosty with icy patches.”
They added for Thursday to Sunday: “Thursday will start mostly fine with some sunshine. It will gradually turn cloudy, wet and breezy in the north. Meanwhile, much of England and Wales will remain dry and bright.
“Rain moves southeastwards on Thursday night, giving wet weather in the south on Friday. Turning clearer, colder and showery from the northwest, ahead of wet and windy weather on Sunday.”
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 6°C to 10°C, 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.”