UK weather forecast: ‘Shock to the system’ as Arctic air dashes hopes of another hot bank holiday weekend

Temperatures to drop to 1C across country over early May bank holiday weekend

Colder temperatures will bring a “shock to the system” to anyone expecting a repeat of Easter weekend’s scorching temperatures as Arctic air moves across the country this week.

The early May bank holiday weekend will see high temperatures in the mid-teens at best with the potential for temperatures dipping below freezing overnight in parts of eastern England, such as Norwich.

It will remain mostly dry over Sunday and Monday, despite a risk of showers in the east, but lows of -3C overnight are possible for some parts of the country.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge explained the shift in temperatures was caused by the arrival of a northerly weather pattern.

“At this time of year, you have various weather patterns vying for dominance. This time, the way weather patterns are moving you have weather coming down from an Arctic direction,” he said.

Mr Madge added that UK weather is “always a battleground” and sudden shifts in temperatures are not unexpected at this time of year.

“Over this particular weekend, you have a weather pattern coming from a northerly direction, which may be a shock to the system from the warm weather we enjoyed over the Easter bank holiday weekend,” he said.

The forecast is a change from the so-called “Spanish Plume heatwave” that was reported recently, although “higher than average temperatures” over the next three months are expected.

However, Mr Madge insisted reports that the UK could see the coldest May bank holiday since the 1970s were overstated.

He said temperatures are expected to go as low as 1C overnight, with -3C possible in higher parts of the country, but “by the daytime, we’re looking at most places in double figures.”

Wintry showers and light snow are also possible on high ground but they are not predicted to be widespread as dry and bright weather is expected across most of the country.

This year saw the hottest Easter Monday on record across the UK and Easter Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far with 25.5C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire.

The cold unsettled weather over the next few days means people should not expect similar temperatures over the coming bank holiday weekend.