The Met Office has issued a fresh UK weather forecast as unsettled conditions hit the country after an “early taste of spring”. The UK recorded its warmest day of 2026 last week, with temperatures hitting 20.9C in Wales, raising the hope for settled weather across the country.

However, according to the Met Office, the UK will experience a sudden shift in the weather conditions this week, with weather maps from WXCharts showing some parts of the country could see the mercury plunge to as low as -5C. According to the forecaster, the change in the conditions are likely to bring some frost and ice in some parts of the UK. Weather experts claimed that “winter will make a return this week” with maps also turning blue indicating the chances of freezing conditions.

According to the Met Office, rain, sleet and snow showers will be seen across the north on Wednesday. Elsewhere, other parts of the UK are likely to see a blustery day due to the cold winds.

It said: “Temperatures will fall overnight – potentially to -5C in rural Scotland – with a widespread frost overnight likely for most, and ice at first in the north on Thursday morning.

“Most places remain dry with sunny spells on Thursday, although cloud and rain pushes into Northern Ireland and western parts later on.”

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: “After a spell of mild and brighter weather, the UK will turn increasingly unsettled in the coming days.

“A series of weather fronts will bring periods of rain, strong winds and much colder air by midweek. Wednesday could be quite a shock to the system.

“Temperatures will range from 6C to 10C, but it will feel closer to low single figures for many areas in the wind.

“Wintry showers are likely, especially over higher ground in the north, and a widespread frost – with icy patches for some – is possible on Wednesday night. It should be a little milder again by the end of the week, with many areas seeing another spell of rain on Friday.”

Nick Finnis, a meterologist with Netweather.tv, wrote in his latest blog: “A cold front and a band of rain looks to clear south east England Tuesday night, followed by colder and clearer north to northwesterly flow, with sunshine and wintry showers following across many areas on Wednesday falling as hail, sleet or snow even to lower levels, though settling snow confined to high ground in the north and west. Everywhere feeling cold in the wind, so worth digging out the winter clothes again.

“Temperatures reaching 6-9C at best, wind chill making it feel colder than that.”