Temperatures in the UK will drop below freezing next week, according to the latest weather maps – but hotter temperatures could very soon be on their way. The WXCharts forecast shows a 72-hour blast of cold air which will see daytime temperatures struggle to reach double digits anywhere in the country.
The cold blast is expected to start on Wednesday, April 24, with daytime temperature stuck at 5C in Birmingham, and 7C in London. Inverness in Scotland will drop into subzero temperatures before eventually reaching just 3C.
According to WXCharts, the cold weather is set to worsen in the south of the country on Thursday, thanks to clear skies in the region. A weather map for 6am on Thursday, April 25 shows temperatures dropping below zero in southern England and the Midlands.
The cold blast will hang around for Friday as well, before a return to warmer weather next weekend.
Jim Dale, a meteorologist from British Weather Services, said that late April or early May is the most likely time for the next blast of warm weather.
He told Express.co.uk: “Well it’s not home and hosed just yet but the trend is moving into position. Iberian or African plumes are behind the times when the UK does receive much above average temperatures.
“Iberia has already witnessed record temperatures for the time of year and before long I’ve no doubt we will join the global throng of countries that have seen or are seeing record or near record temperatures.
“We will not be immune and late April/early May could well deliver that.”
The Met Office’s medium-range forecast – which covers Sunday, April 21 to Tuesday, April 30 – echoes the return to “cooler and less settled conditions, with some rain or showers mainly affecting the north and east”.
The forecast continues: “The best chance of staying dry is across western and southern parts. After a brief warmer interlude on Sunday temperatures are likely to trend back toward or a little below average.”
The hope for warmer weather at the end of April is reinforced by Netweather, which forecasts 21C in London on April 30, 20C in Liverpool and 19C in the east Midlands – and temperatures are only expected to rise even further in May.
Meanwhile, it is feared that record rainfall this year in the UK could lead to food shortages and price rises for many Britons.
The extreme rain has meant farmers in many parts of the UK have been unable to plant crops such as potatoes, wheat and vegetables during the key spring season.
Crops that have been planted are of poor quality, with some rotting in the ground.
The wet weather has also led to a higher-than-average mortality rate for British lambs, while dairy cows are also producing less milk.
Today:
Heavy blustery showers continue down the east where still fairly breezy. Elsewhere winds lighter than of late, and mostly dry with some sunny spells, although generally cloudier than Tuesday. Patchy rain and drizzle arriving in Northern Ireland.
Tonight:
Rain and drizzle sinks into Wales and the far southwest. Elsewhere showers mostly dying out and winds easing. Rain arriving in the far northwest later. Chilly overnight with patchy frost.
Thursday:
Chilly to start with some sunshine through the morning in the south, before turning breezy as cloud and patchy rain sinks south through the day.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Settled conditions developing from Friday with some sunny spells especially in the west. Temperatures slowly increasing for many although likely cloudy and cool on the east coast.
