Brits are having to wrap up warm this weekend in what could be one of the coldest late August Bank Holidays on record in parts of the the UK compared to last year's record high.
Wintry conditions will spread across Britain as temperatures plummet with frost expected to grip parts of the nation within just 24 hours.
The latest BBC weather forecast shows the mercury will drop to just 2C by Sunday morning as the cold dampens holidaymakers' hopes of a Bank Holiday staycation.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror Online, the Met Office confirmed the "unusual" weather conditions could lead to one of the coldest late Bank Holiday Mondays on record in certain parts of the UK.
A spokesperson said: "We could potentially see one of the coldest late Bank Holiday Mondays on record in certain parts of the UK.
"Whether we reach record cold temperatures or not, it is still a big difference compared to last year when we had the hottest late August Bank Holiday on record at 33.3C.
"At midday today an area of North Yorkshire looks the coldest for England at the moment at 10.9C."
BBC meteorologist Phil Avery added this weekend could see a "new record for the coldest Bank Holiday in August."
He pointed out "west is certainly best" with the best prospects of a "decent day" on Sunday for those wanting to get out and about.
The chilly Bank Holiday should see an overall 15C drop from the scorching temperatures recorded this time last year when the mercury reached 33C.
Mr Avery said: "It is mainly dry this weekend. As the day gets going, the western side of the UK should even see some decent sunny spells.
"But that weather front that has brought in so much disruption and rain is taking its time to pull away this morning. There are showers, and wind coming in from the North Sea."
The Met Office said the combination of cold yet dry weather was "unusual but not unheard of" during the UK summer.
A spokesperson said: "Even though it is on the cold side, there is a lot of dry weather around throughout the long weekend. It is unusual but it is not unheard of."
Strong gusts of wind are expected on the eastern side of the country reaching up to 50 miles per hour while Scotland faces frost.
The best Brits can expect for the long weekend are temperatures between 12C to 18C, according to the meteorologist.
Mr Avery said: "The strengths of the gust on the eastern side of the country are strong.
"The wind will reach up to 50 miles per hour along those exposed eastern coast so be careful if you're out and about.
"That wind and cloud gradually drifts itself down into East Anglia and London. And because the wind is essentially from the north, it is not going to be warm.
"The best temperatures I could find today are between 12C to 18C."
Scotland faces frost tomorrow morning as temperatures fall to 2C overnight, 4C in northern England and just 11C in London.
Mr Avery added: " At least that cold equates to a decent day on Sunday, for the most part, if you want to get out and about, though on the cool side.
"There will be some dry weather, some sunshine, it just won't be very warm.
"Last year's August bank holiday we recorded 33C, and we are talking about 18C this year."
According to The Met Office, the coldest late August Bank Holiday in England was recorded in Malham Tarn in northern Yorkshire in 1986 when temperatures reached 11.2C.
Also in 1986, the record was set in Northern Ireland when maximum temperatures reached 10.4C in Parkmore Forest, and in Wales when temperatures reached a maximum 11.5C in Alwen.
While Scotland, although not an official Bank Holiday, holds the UK record for the equivalent date in 2011 when max temperatures reached just 9.1C in Cromdale.
The current frosty forecast comes after parts of the UK were flooded by torrential rain.
Meteorologist Emma Salter said: " We'll see an improving picture throughout the weekend but it will be quite chilly, as far as August is concerned, particularly in the north."
