Temperatures in Wales are set to plummet overnight this week as a blast of Arctic air moves across the country, bringing the coldest conditions of winter so far. According to Met Office weather maps, average overnight temperatures in Wales have been around 6C to 8C this week, but these figures will drop to lows of around 1C by Friday, below average for the time of year.
Coldest day expected on Friday
Friday looks set to be the coldest day in Wales this week, with temperatures forecast to reach a maximum of around 7C. The cold conditions are expected to continue through much of the weekend before temperatures creep back up into double figures at the beginning of next week.
The cold spell comes as a result of an area of low pressure to the east of the UK dragging Arctic air across the country. The Met Office has also given its verdict on whether the Arctic air could bring the first wintry showers of the season to the UK.
Wintry showers possible in Scotland
The drop in temperatures means there is a chance of snow and other wintry precipitation across northern and north-eastern Scotland from Wednesday evening into Thursday. The Met Office said: "Organised bands of showers will move south in increasingly cold air, readily turning wintry across the far north and northeast of Scotland. Shetland could also see soft hail in the showers, accompanied by strong winds."
An area of high pressure looks set to influence the UK's weather from Friday, bringing more settled weather to accompany the cold theme. With lighter winds and clearer skies, the risk of overnight frost and fog will return.
Frost and fog hazards
Forecasters at the Met Office said: "Overall, it is shaping up to be a noticeably colder week, with northern areas most exposed to wintry showers while frost and fog become hazards more widely."
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, weather presenter Matt Taylor explained the reason for the overnight drop in temperatures: "As we go from Wednesday into Thursday and area of low pressure to the east of the UK will drag Arctic air down across the country. There will be lovely, crisp visibility but there will be chilly conditions as well as a cold, northerly air and we will see our first widespread frost of the season."
