Warm weekend forecast before Arctic air brings cold spell next week

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Warm weekend forecast before Arctic air brings cold spell next weekImage source, WEATHERWATCHERS/DEBBIE WByMatt TaylorLead Weather PresenterPublished4 hours agoPeriods of dry and sunny weather are on the cards for most of the UK this weekend before chilly Arctic air sends temperatures falling into the single digits next week. If you've got outdoor plans this weekend the good news is that most will experience dry and sunny weather at times, despite the chance of rain for some. Warmer conditions are also expected across southern areas for a time, before temperatures drop through the weekend.

Next week could bring even chillier weather as winds from a general northerly direction start to dominate. Weekend to bring warm sunshine for someSome of the warmest weather of this coming week is forecast on Saturday, although this will be confined to southern and central parts of England. With light south-westerly winds and some reasonable spells of sunshine, temperatures in southern counties and the Midlands could reach highs of between 19 and 21 Celsius (66-71F).

The Details

The May average temperature in these areas is 16 or 17 Celsius (61-63F). Temperatures will be much closer to the seasonal average elsewhere across the country, though it may feel rather cool in the cloudier moments. Cloudiest will be parts of south-east Scotland and northern England, where a weather front will bring a spell of rain for many through the day.

Showers are also possible for a few in northern Scotland as well as Wales and south-west England. Image caption, The weekend begins warm across southern areas before cooler air in the north spreads to all areas. Gardeners and growers across the northern half of the UK will then need to be on alert on Saturday night as a frost is possible.

Temperatures will also have dropped across southern parts on Sunday as a cold weather front bringing patchy overnight drizzle clears south. However, it does mean that many of us will have a dry day on Sunday, and certainly a much brighter one compared to Saturday for northern England and south-east Scotland. Showery rain will be limited to northern Scotland and perhaps the Channel Islands.

What Experts Say

Blustery winds through the English Channel and across southern England and Wales will add to the cooler feel, but despite temperatures dropping a little elsewhere too the strength of the May sun should still make it feel pleasant. What you need to know about hayfever season Published8 AprilTemperatures to drop further as Arctic air arrivesIf you've seen forecasts of snow next week flash up on your social media feed over the last few days, you may be thinking that winter is about to return. While snow is not expected over the vast majority of the UK, it is true that rather cool conditions for May are set to dominate.

With high pressure centred to the west of the UK, winds will mainly come from that chillier northerly direction.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.