UK weather forecast: Sunshine and snow showers predicted as unsettled spring weather continues

Wintry conditions, thunder and rain to interrupt sunny spells

Sunny spells, frost, hill snow and thunder are all expected to hit parts of the UK this week, as unsettled spring conditions continue.

Monday and Tuesday are likely to be dry and bright, with temperatures reaching as high as 18C in southern England and 20C in Scotland.

A band of cloud will move across western regions, bringing “patchy rain and drizzle” to Northern Ireland, western Wales and parts of southwest England.

“That cloud remains in the west on Tuesday,” Simon Partridge, a Met Office meteorologist, said.

“Temperatures will dip a bit, to about 14C in Scotland. Then by the middle of the week it’s all change.”

Mr Partridge added Thursday would bring a “day of sunshine and showers”.

Conditions will deteriorate across the whole of the UK on Friday, with gale force winds expected to hit the east coast.

Snow showers may also fall on high ground in Scotland and northern England.

Temperatures on Friday will plummet to 12C and 13C in southern regions and 8C in Scotland.

“It will be noticeably colder,” Mr Partridge said.

Despite the cold spell conditions will improve slightly for the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Dry and settled conditions are forecast for Saturday and Sunday but temperatures will only be in the mid-teens across the UK.

There is also a risk of widespread frost on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.

Overnight temperatures in northern Scotland and Northern Ireland during the weekend could fall to -3C.

“It will be pleasant by day but very chilly at night,” Mr Partridge said.

The Met Office said that ”western and northern areas may eventually see some unsettled and windier conditions” during the weekend.

“There remains a chance of spells of wet, windy and cooler weather at times, especially in the west and north,” the organisation said.