Arctic air to sweep UK bringing midweek wind, rain and cold snap as temperatures set to drop

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The Met Office has said the UK faces a "changeable and cool week ahead" as temperatures are expected to drop well below the mid-May average for most, especially from Wednesday.

Air coming from northern Scandinavia and the Arctic circle means temperatures will be around 3-7C below average.

From Monday, a band of cloud and rain will move across Wales, into the Midlands and continues southwards.

Scattered showers and the potential for some heavy showers, even turning wintry over high ground, will also bring colder climes.

However, with some strong spring sunshine also forecast in places it may still feel warm at times.

The Met Office said: "An area of low pressure in the North Sea slides a cold front southwards across the country on Monday.

"This brings a band of cloud and showery rain across Wales, into the Midlands and continues southwards. Behind it, sunnier spells and a few showers."

"After a chilly start, it'll still feel cool, especially when exposed to the brisk northerly wind down the east coast.

"Another cold front crosses the country on Tuesday bringing further cloud and patchy rain. Still on the cool side with blustery showers later.

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"Low pressure dominates on Wednesday, with the country seeing a mixture of sunshine and scattered, locally heavy, showers.

"It's a similar day on Thursday with the focus for showers mainly to the east. Temperatures still below average and feeling chilly in the wind.

"A calmer day on Friday with a ridge of higher pressure building in. A few showers but plenty of sunnier spells."

Temperatures will start rise back to average later this week but there may also be some rain in the forecast.

Last week the overnight temperature in Tomintoul, Moray, in Scotland plummeted down to -6.8C.

This was the lowest May temperature since 1997.