New maps show a wall of water and snow more than 600 miles long which set to cover the entire country, in a sign that spring might be in the air but winter has not finished with Britain yet.
A massive weather front is set to crash into the nation from Monday covering much of the UK in heavy rain and also leaving a blanket of snow in Scotland and northern England.
The white stuff will be especially heavy over the Scottish Highlands and could reach as far south as Manchester in the north of England.
A Met Office long-range forecast said temperatures would be “below normal” for the time of year when the weather system arrives on Monday.
It said: “Increasing sunny spells in western areas on Sunday with showers developing in central and eastern areas after a rather cold start.
“Monday to Wednesday is likely to see a couple of systems bringing wind and rain across the UK, heaviest across southern areas with strong winds at times.
“Temperatures at or just below normal. Uncertainty increases from mid-week with potential for further weather systems to develop across the southwest though all areas will likely see periods of wet weather, with some drier spells in-between.
“Rainfall amounts highest in the south, with northern areas slightly drier but cooler.”
Temperatures for next week could be as low as -4C in some parts of the country, especially in upland areas of Scotland and Wales.
Snow is not uncommon in March in the UK but heavy rain and melting ice will add to already saturated ground in many parts of the country, with the chance of flooding in some areas.
The wet conditions experienced by many in February come as the Met Office confirmed it was the warmest ever recorded for England and Wales.
The BBC reports the average temperature in England for February 2024 was 7.5°C, topping the previous record of 7.0°C set in 1990.
Today:
Outbreaks of rain in central areas will turn more showery as it moves eastwards through the afternoon. Largely dry elsewhere with a few showers in the far north. Another rather warm day in the southeast.
Tonight:
Rain and showers in the southeast clearing, although low cloud and fog lingering overnight. Clear spells further north with patchy frost. Cloud, rain and gales in the far northwest later.
Thursday:
Low cloud and fog clearing in the south, and staying mostly dry with hazy sunshine. Rain and strong winds in the north moving southeast, with sunshine and blustery showers behind.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Turning colder with a mix of sunshine and blustery showers on Friday and Saturday, these perhaps wintry in the north and west. Showers easing in the west through Sunday.
