Britons warned to brace for ‘bitterly cold’ temperatures as Arctic blast hits this week

Met Office spokeswoman Becky Mitchell confirmed the incoming Arctic blast, noting that temperatures will fall “a bit below average” as the new week begins.

The sudden shift will bring wintry conditions to much of the UK, with rain, sleet and snow forecast in some areas.

“Starting on Monday we will see some colder arrive,” Mitchell explained. “Monday we have got some showery outbreaks of rain, and northerly wind.”

The Met Office forecaster warned that Monday night could see the lowest temperatures of the week.

“Temperatures on Monday could fall as low as about minus 7C in parts of rural overnight. That is likely to be the coldest night of the week,” she said.

The dramatic temperature shift will be accompanied by an icy northerly wind sweeping across the country.

Before the cold snap arrives, Sunday will bring notably mild conditions across the country.

“The rest of the weekend is looking rather mild,” said Met Office spokeswoman, Mitchell. “We have got highs of 15 or 16C on Sunday.”

The highest temperatures are expected in south-west England, where the mercury could reach 16C.

However, the mild temperatures will be accompanied by unsettled conditions.

“It will be quite wet and windy though, we will have various bands of rain coming in from the west, which could be heavy at times, and also very breezy across the whole country,” Mitchell added.

The rain, while heavy in places, is not expected to cause any significant disruption.

Looking ahead to next week, the Met Office has outlined a distinctly wintry outlook from Monday through Wednesday.

Monday will bring rain for some areas before turning colder with wintry showers in northern regions.

Tuesday will start with frost, followed by rain, sleet and snow later in the day.

By Wednesday, conditions are expected to improve somewhat as rain clears through.

Temperatures are likely to return to average levels from midweek.

“Thereafter temperatures are probably turning average from midweek, with rain at times and some dry interludes too,” she said.