UK braced for cold weather as 0C Polar blast arrives in hours and these areas affected

Parts of Britain are likely to be hit by an Arctic polar blast as the latest weather maps show temperature levels falling as low as 0C in the coming days. Weather maps from WXCharts show that the cold weather conditions will engulf the entire country as people continue to hope for warmer days.

The freezing conditions will be seen on June 12, maps suggest.

Maps from WXCharts suggest that the Scottish highlands will be the worst impacted, however, even the southern parts of the country will likely remain cold.

Areas around Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester will also see temperatures hovering around 2-3C during the same period, maps suggest.

According to the Met Office, the temperatures across the UK on Sunday were between 10C and 17C from midday.

The drop in temperature is down to a change in the jet stream, a core of strong winds about four to seven miles above the Earth's surface.

BBC Scotland weather presenter Judith Ralston explained why June was so cold so far: “The reason is because we have been drawing our air all the way from Greenland down across Iceland then feeding in over Scotland.

“This has now been the case for the first week of June.

"The reason for this is because we have a stuck weather pattern at the moment caused by high pressure in the Atlantic and low pressure over Scandinavia which has resulted in a consistent feed of air coming in from the cold north or north-west."

She added: “This has resulted in coverings of snow across the mountains of Scotland, which in itself is not unusual for June, but to see seven consecutive days of snow falling over the highest peaks is very unusual.”

Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon told Sky News that the weather is expected to remain unsettled for the rest of this week.

Temperatures will remain below average over the next few days due to a northerly wind drawing air from the Arctic across the UK. Mr Dixon said the weather on Tuesday and Wednesday will remain generally dry in the west, with some rain in eastern parts of the UK.

He said: "On Thursday there will be more persistent rain for much of the country."

He added there would be a "more unsettled weather regime" on Thursday and Friday and heading into the weekend with "thundery showers" in the southeast of England on Friday. Mr Dixon warned: "It won't feel particularly warm with the rain we have been having."

Met Office's five-day forecast

Today:

Overnight rain clearing out into the North Sea during the morning, with sunny spells and showers through the day. Showers heaviest in the east with a risk of hail and thunder. Cool in the breeze, but warm in sheltered sunshine.

Tonight:

Showers lingering on northern and eastern coasts, but turning drier in land with some evening sunshine. Cool overnight, especially under clear skies.

Tuesday:

Another day of sunny spells and showers, but showers generally lighter than on Monday. Mostly dry in western parts. Staying cool for the time of year.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Staying cool with a mixture of sunny spells and showers over the next few days. Showers turning lighter by Wednesday, before an organised band of cloud and rain arrives Thursday.