The Met Office has given its verdict on the possibility of snow ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Weather maps have shown parts of the UK set for a dusting in the first half of the week, with a yellow weather warning for snow and rain issued by the Met Office covering the Highland and Grampian regions of Scotland on Tuesday (March 26).
Temperatures look set to drop below freezing this week as polar air moves in. Low pressure will dominate too, bringing heavy showers and longer spells of rain.
Maps generated by WX Charts using MetDesk data show snow persisting into Thursday (March 28), particularly in Scotland and north west England.
Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick told Express.co.uk Thursday is looking very unsettled at the moment with rain and showers for many parts.
He added: “A band of more persistent rain will track northwards through the morning, clearing northern Scotland later in the day but showers still remain behind this band.”
Mr Eslick said showers will be more frequent in the west and south with the odd rumble of thunder and spread further east through the day.”
The weather expert said: “Although temperatures will be near or close to average for the time of year, any risk of snow will be small and confined to the highest hills in Scotland which is not unusual for late March.”
Weather maps show the mercury struggling to rise much above freezing in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Stirling could see -3C at 3am, with 2C in Northumberland, 0C around Cardiff and 1C in Southampton, according to WX Charts. East Anglia looks set for 3C to 4C while in the Midlands temperatures range from 0C to 2C, the maps show.
Met Office UK five day weather forecast
Sunday, March 24 – Thursday, March 28
Headline: Largely dry with sunny spells. Turning unsettled on Monday.
Today: A drier day than Saturday with plenty of sunny spells and lighter winds, though breezy for a time in the east. A few showers around, these generally easing. Turning cloudier in the far west later. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine.
Tonight: Cloudier in the west with outbreaks of rain gradually pushing northeastwards. Drier elsewhere with clear spells and light winds, with a patchy frost possible in rural spots.
Monday: Dry and bright start in the north and east. Cloudier and breezier in the west with spells of rain pushing northeastwards, turning heavy at times and wintry in Scotland.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday: Low pressure is likely to dominate through this period, bringing heavy showers and longer spells of rain throughout. Temperatures around average for the time of year.
