Temperatures plummeted to minus 6.1C in the coldest May night in five years, the Met Office said, and although conditions are set to be warmer later in the week, thunderstorms are also on the cards.
Some residents in Scotland, parts of northern England and Northern Ireland woke to a frost on Wednesday morning.
Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands saw the lowest temperature, but sub-zero temperatures were also recorded in Shap, in Cumbria, and Castlederg, in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
The Met Office said it would be a much cooler feeling day on Wednesday, although conditions would be dry and bright for many.
It's been the coldest May night in the UK since 2021 🥶
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 6, 2026
Temperatures dropped below freezing in parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Did you need to scrape frost this morning? pic.twitter.com/Y15jIm85aF
Nicola Maxey, Met Office spokeswoman, said: “There is a chilly air mass across the UK at the moment, with temperatures widely below average for the time of year.
“Many areas experienced a cold night last night (Tuesday night) as clear skies and light winds allowed temperatures to fall sharply, and there is a continued chance of patchy frost tonight where cloud breaks and skies clear.
“While frosty nights can still occur in early May, the temperatures we’re seeing are lower than we would typically expect.”
Temperatures have tumbled since Friday, when a high of 25.4C was recorded at both Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens in London – meaning parts of southern England were hotter than Tenerife.
But they look set to rise again towards Saturday, when highs of 22C are forecast in London and parts of southern England.
“Conditions will begin to diverge later in the week, with warmer air pushing into the south on Thursday and Friday, bringing temperatures close to 20C, while northern areas remain much cooler,” Ms Maxey said.
“This temperature contrast is likely to persist into Saturday, with the south potentially reaching the low 20s, but further north staying in the low teens at best.
“By Sunday, many areas should see some drier and sunnier weather, though temperatures will dip again and temperatures next week are likely to remain on the cool or below-average side for early May.”
The Met Office said the weather would stay largely dry for many towards the weekend, but that conditions were then set to become more unsettled and windy.
As low pressure built, there was an increasing chance of heavy showers and longer spells of rain, with thunderstorms possible on Saturday.
