UK weather WARNING: Britain to be battered by frost, hail and SNOW as temperatures PLUMMET
BRITONS are set to face freezing weather conditions as the temperature is forecast to drop below zero before the end of the week, plummeting from 29.1C last Thursday - the hottest day in April in 69 years.
Cold and “raw-feeling” weather is expected to strike on Thursday, with frost, heavy downpours and snow expected.
Meteorologist Amy Hodgson, of the Weather Company, said: "Low pressure will pass to the north bringing unsettled and blustery conditions in a cooler north-westerly airflow.
"It will be a week of typical April showers, some of which will be heavy with the risk of hail and thunder at times, but with sunny spells in-between.
"Any snow will be restricted to the highest levels of the Scottish mountains in the scattered showers, with a wintry mix of sleet and snow likely to fall."
Northern Scotland, where there are areas of higher ground, will see temperatures settle just below freezing at -2C with a mixture of sleet and snow showers.
The rest of the UK will be covered with frost on Wednesday morning, before a mixture of heavy cloud cover and heavy downpours push temperatures down to an average of 11C.
Any snow will be restricted to the highest levels of the Scottish mountains in the scattered showers, with a wintry mix of sleet and snow likely to fall
Brian Gaze, director of Weather Outlook said: "The second-half of the week will feel particularly raw as a strong easterly wind develops across central and northern areas.
"From Wednesday, heading into the weekend, we will see prolonged and heavy outbreaks of rain pushing up from the south.
"With a combination of heavy cloud cover and less sunshine, temperatures will not go above 11C in the south and 7C in the north."
The bizarre shift in weather comes after the hottest London Marathon in the race’s 38-year history on Sunday, as runners braved exhausting 23C temperatures and scorching sunshine.
Dozens had to be treated by medics during the race for symptoms of heat exhaustion as forecasters warned that the heat coming from the tarmac would make it feel even hotter.
The 40,000 runners were cautioned by organisers to avoid fancy dress and to remain hydrated to prevent overheating.
A Met Office forecaster said today: "After last week's high temperatures it's going to be a lot cooler this week.
"Temperatures will return to normal spring conditions of around 11C. But we will see persistent rain across the UK from Wednesday.
"On Thursday, heavy showers will turn blustery with wind speeds reaching 30mph."
Thunder storms were pictured on Sunday in Bournemouth, Dorset, The Isle of Wight and Hampshire, while rain showers affected many areas across the country.
Now cold air is set to push in from Iceland leaving the country to brace arctic weather conditions.
Brian Gaze added: "We'll rewind towards wintry weather. The weather will crash back down to earth.
"A giant drop in temperatures is ahead after the heatwave. Highs will be 11C or so, lower leading into the weekend."