Forecasters have warned that winter is officially on the way as temperatures look to drop sharply by the end of the week, bringing the first widespread frost of the season.
The Met Office has also said there is a chance some parts of the UK could see its first wintry showers of the season. The cold spell comes as a result of an area of low pressure to the east of the UK dragging a blast of Arctic air across the country.
It has been noticeably chillier in recent weeks, but it will feel markedly colder as a result of this Arctic air hitting the UK.
Temperature Plunge Expected by Friday
According to Met Office weather maps, this week Wales has seen temperatures between 6C and 8C overnight, but these figures will plummet by Friday, where lows of around 1C are expected. Temperatures will drop to below average for the time of year, the weather agency said.
A cold northerly wind will make it feel particularly cold.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, weather presenter Matt Taylor said: "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."
Presenter Jon Kay then said: "Winter is coming".
Coldest Day and Wintry Showers
Friday looks set to be the coldest day in Wales this week, with temperatures set to reach a maximum of around 7C. The cold weather will continue for the weekend with similar temperatures forecast, before highs creep back up into double figures at the beginning of next week.
The drop in temperatures means there is a chance of snow and other wintry precipitation in the UK, according to the Met Office. Forecasters say the greatest chance of wintry showers comes 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."
Settled Weather and Frost Risk
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.
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."
