(Image: Vincent Cole - Manchester Evening News)
Met Office warns 'cold Arctic air' will see temperatures plummet later this week
by Fionnula Hainey · Manchester Evening NewsTemperatures are set to plummet this week as cooler Arctic air blasts the UK, bringing temperatures close to zero.
The Met Office posted a graphic on X showing 'cold Arctic air' sweeping in from the north from Wednesday onwards bringing cooler temperatures to the UK. "After an unsettled start to the week, it will start to turn colder from the north on Wednesday as low pressure clears to the east," the agency said.
In the north west of England, it looks as though temperatures could drop to a chilly 1C. The latest temperatures predictions show temperatures close to zero in parts of Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
READ MORE: Met Office issues Hurricane Kirk update as experts 'confident' of path
The start of the week will see some heavy showers and thunderstorms at times, particularly in central and southern England, with temperatures staying mild for most. But by midweek, the weather is set to take a turn.
While conditions will likely stay unsettled, with rain and showers affecting most areas at times, temperatures will drop significantly from Wednesday in the north, bring frost and some possible snow in rural high-up areas.
(Image: Met Office)
The Met Office warned that all areas of the UK will likely experience below average temperatures from Thursday evening as the Arctic air moves into the south.
Forecasters said: "Night frosts are expected for some regions, and snow is possible for the higher mountains of Scotland."
Meanwhile, the threat from Hurricane Kirk appears to have subsided, as forecasters now predict the storm will hit the north of France, rather than the UK.
The Met Office said: "We have been keeping a close eye on the track of ex-Hurricane Kirk as it travels across the Atlantic. There is increasing confidence now that it will track to the south of the UK, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to northern France.
"Although north and south shifts of the systems track remain possible, the threat of significant impacts to the UK from this system are now much reduced."