Temperatures to plummet to -3°C before warm weather returns in May
A blast of cold air will sweep through the UK in May, when temperatures could plummet to -3°C.
As we head towards summer, forecasters have warned of ‘chilly nights’ and ‘late season frosts’ still to come.
Overnight, the mercury hit -5°C in the Midlands and Scotland, while it was -1°C in London.
Bank Holiday Monday will be balmy for those in the south, but people living in the north and in Scotland will have a more overcast day.
However morning frost will make way for warmer afternoons, forecasters have promised.
The Met Office said: ‘Parts of the north are more likely to experience cloudier conditions, with spells of mainly light rain or showers at times, occasionally moving further south.
‘Winds are expected to remain light and temperatures stay above average for most, but some chilly nights are still possible with a chance of some late season frost.
‘Moving through the period, the weather is likely to become more unsettled in northern and perhaps some central areas, bringing spells of rain and potentially some cooler air at times.’
On Tuesday, the UK was split as 17°C was recorded in Hampshire while 8°C was noted in parts of Northumberland and Scotland.
Meanwhile, the mercury dropped to -2.6°C in parts of the Highlands.
The changeable weather has led to betting companies becoming divided.
Bookmaker Coral has odds of 4-5 for next month to be the coldest May on record.
Meanwhile Ladbrokes has offered odds of 3/1 for the opposite situation.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘Things are heading in the right direction on the weather front, and we could be set for a record-breaking hot May as a result.’
After May’s early burst of cold air, it is hoped more spring-like weather will follow.
A Met Office spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘At present though, it looks as though while some northern areas might see some lower than average temperatures during the early part of the month, the majority of the UK actually looks like seeing above average temperatures in May.’
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