Cool end to weekend before Arctic air brings cold spell next week

Periods of dry and sunny weather are on the cards for most of the UK this weekend before chilly Arctic air sends temperatures falling into the single digits next week.

While Saturday saw temperatures in southern areas of the UK reach the low twenties, Sunday will be cooler for all.

Next week could bring even chillier weather as winds from a general northerly direction start to dominate.

Saturday's highest temperature was 22.9C, recorded in Wiggonholt, West Sussex.

But widely across south Wales, the Midlands, eastern and southern England temperatures rose into the high teens and low twenties.

The May average temperature in these areas is 16 or 17 Celsius (61-63F).

Temperatures were much closer to the seasonal average elsewhere across the country. Though, in north-east England the temperature struggled to get into double figures with only 9C (48F), for example, in Durham.

Sunday will start with a local frost for some across Scotland and northern England.

Temperatures dropped to -4.5C in Shap, Cumbria for example.

With more cloud and milder air holding on across southern areas, overnight temperatures stayed up at around 7-9C (44-48F).

Many of us will have a dry day on Sunday, and certainly a much brighter one compared to Saturday for northern England and south-east Scotland.

Showery rain will be limited to northern Scotland and perhaps the Channel Islands.

Blustery winds through the English Channel and across southern England and Wales will add to the cooler feel, but despite temperatures dropping a little elsewhere too the strength of the May sun should still make it feel pleasant.

If you've seen forecasts of snow next week flash up on your social media feed over the last few days, you may be thinking that winter is about to return.

While snow is not expected over the vast majority of the UK, it is true that rather cool conditions for May are set to dominate.

With high pressure centred to the west of the UK, winds will mainly come from that chillier northerly direction. During the second half of the week our air will have originated from around the Arctic Circle in northern Scandinavia.

Daytime temperatures for most will be much colder than normal at 9-14 Celsius (48-57F) in many areas.

Areas of low pressure crossing southwards across the country will bring a greater likelihood of rain and, like last week, some snow in Shetland and the Scottish mountains cannot be ruled out.

As well as snow, last week also brought the UK its coldest May conditions for nearly 30 years. Tomintoul in Moray, Scotland recorded a low of -6.8C (20F) on the night of the 5/6 May. This was the lowest temperature recorded in May since 1997 when the same temperature was reported at Leadhills, Lanarkshire.

Further night frosts are expected in places during the week ahead.

Spring is a transition season, notorious for big ups and downs in temperature.

Wind direction is often key. Winds from a general northerly tap into air that is still fairly cold in and around the Arctic. At the same time, the higher and stronger sun is warming up continental Europe and winds from the south can easily bring surges of heat. Even without the wind, that stronger sunshine can temper any chill during daylight hours.

The UK's highest May temperature was 32.8C (91F), recorded at locations in London and south-east England on 29 May 1944.

Last year brought the warmest ever start to May with a high of 29.3C (84.7F) at Kew Gardens, London on 1 May 2025.

However cold weather can also leave its mark.

In May 1941 overnight temperatures at Lynford, Norfolk fell to -9.4C (15.1F) on both the fourth and 11th of the month.

Significant snow can also occur.

Birmingham had its worst May snowstorm for 60 years in 1955, and wintry weather returned to the city on 2 May 1979 with snow blanketing many areas for the bank holiday.