Top News

The UK is set for a dramatic weather shift on Wednesday, with a mix of snow, rain, and plummeting temperatures, according to the latest forecasts. New maps, generated by forecaster WXCharts on Sunday, show that cold air will sweep across the country, bringing temperatures down to a chilling 0°C in some areas and up to nine hours of snowfall.

A first map, showing 'Minimum Temperatures', highlights that northern regions, particularly in Scotland, will feel the brunt of the cold. Several areas, centred in the Highlands, will experience a drop to 0C, as the cold front moves southward. As temperatures dip, even southern parts of the UK could see temperatures struggle to stay above 5C, particularly in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But it's not just the cold that will be an issue.

A second map, detailing 'Precipitation rate, Cloud, Temperature and Pressure', shows a spell of several millimetres of snow in central and northern areas. Snowfall is expected to last for nine hours in parts of Scotland.

• World Snooker Championship final halted as security rush to table with BBC stunned
• F1 LIVE: Miami GP disqualification confirmed after FIA investigation

The map also shows the potential for a few centimetres of snow in the affected areas, especially on higher ground such as the Scottish Highlands, where snow might settle more heavily.

Despite the cold start, the weather will remain dry for much of the morning, with clear skies across the country. However, as the day progresses, the situation will change dramatically. By the afternoon, rain will sweep in from the west, bringing wet conditions to Scotland and Northern England. While snowfall is expected in northern regions earlier in the day, rain will eventually reach other parts of the country, turning into heavier showers as temperatures remain chilly.

Separately, the Met Office's most up-to-date outlook for Tuesday (May 5) to Thursday (May 7) reads: "Turning cooler for all as northerly winds set in across the UK. Some showers at times, though these lighter and fewer than the weekend with sunny spells emerging as well."

This comes after Monday will bring "rain slowly moving across northern Scotland," though much of the rest of the UK will remain dry with "some sunny spells," according to the Met Office.

Regarding its long-range forecasting, the Met Office warns: "When looking at forecasts beyond five days into the future, the chaotic nature of the atmosphere begins to play a larger part - small events currently over the Atlantic can have potentially significant impacts on our weather in the UK and Ireland in several days' time".