Issued: 0900hrs Friday 21st April 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Hail, thunder and snow to low levels

Bitterly cold Arctic air will sweep south across the country early next week, bringing a late blast of winter. There will be heavy showers, with hail and thunder, plus snow falling to low levels at times. Temperatures will struggle to make double figures, and overnight frost and ice is likely.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Monday 24/04/17
A cold front passes south across the country, introducing significantly colder air across the British Isles. Occasional showery rain for southern regions, although much of England & Wales will be often dry with sunny spells. Showers will spread from the north across Scotland, later Northern Ireland - heavy bursts, with hail and thunder, and snow to low levels. Cold and blustery northerly winds. Highs 6 to 9C north, 10 to 13C south.

Tuesday 25/04/17
A very cold north to north-westerly wind brings a showery day for most regions, with some heavy bursts becoming locally frequent around exposed coasts in the north. Expect hail, thunder and snow falling to low levels almost anywhere, but any accumulations brief away from the hills. Some bright sunshine, most frequent in central-southern England. Top temperatures just 7 to 10C, but colder where showers persist.

Wednesday 26/04/17
High pressure will reside to the west, whilst low pressure remains to the east. A cold northerly pattern continues. Sunshine and heavy wintry showers, these most frequent in eastern coastal districts, but showers likely to affect north facing coasts elsewhere. Frost and ice overnight. Temperatures 7 to 11C, warmest on the south coast.
 

Thursday 27/04/17
Pressure is likely to build from the west - the high becoming centred toward the south-west. Fewer showers, but still locally heavy and wintry. A good deal of sunshine. Fronts may move into the north-west to bring rain or hill snow. Frost overnight. Staying chilly by day, highs 8 to 12C.

Friday 28/04/17
Detail is uncertain, but fronts are likely to move in from the Atlantic, bringing milder air, but changeable conditions. Rain spreading from the west, possibly preceded by hill snow. Breezy. Highs 7 to 12C.

Saturday 29/04/17
Staying changeable, with rain from time to time, spreading from the west. Milder than previous days. Blustery westerly winds. Highs 9 to 14C.