UK weather forecast: Temperatures to hit 20C before bank holiday 'Arctic chill'

Temperatures are set to hit 20C but the warm weather will soon disappear as an Artic chill arrives for the bank holiday weekend.

The cold snap is expected to take over in the second half of the week as the mercury drops 'sharply', forecasters have warned.

Arctic air will plunge southwards on Friday sending widespread frost to much of Scotland and the north of England, reports say.

There may even be a dusting of sleet in northern parts of the country.

Large swathes of the country woke up to foggy conditions this morning, although the weather is expected to improve as the day goes on.

Much of the country woke up to fog this morning, although warmer weather is expected later today (Twitter/@metoffice)

Temperatures could reach 20C in parts of the UK today (file photo) (PA)

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The fog is expected to clear and forecasters are predicting a dry, sunny day, with temperatures peaking at 20C in some parts of the country.

The Met Office has warned that sunlight in some areas of the south-east of England means that UV levels will be high.

There will be a cold snap later this afternoon, along with rainfall and cloudy conditions in the west of the country.

Walkers braved strong winds for a morning stroll at the Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall, yesterday (SWNS)

Rain will be seen in the west of the UK (file photo) (PA)

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Light winds will also leave some feeling a little chilly and temperatures could drop to lows of 6C.

But the weather is expected to get worse as the week goes on.

Wednesday and Thursday could see rainfall, however temperatures should not go below 8C.

Conditions will get colder for the bank holiday (file photo) (PA)

Showers are likely on Friday, when the mercury is expected to drop as part of the 'Arctic plunge,' the Daily Star reports.

In the days before the May bank holiday, temperatures could potentially fall to 4C.

Some fear that the weekend could turn into a washout, with potentially single digit lows.

However, sizzling temperatures are on the horizon in the coming weeks, as a result of a 'Spanish plume'.

Sunshine is expected in the middle of May, with the heat expected to increase from May 13 onwards.

Some have even predicted a heatwave that could bring 28C sunshine to the UK in May.

The Met Office previously said 2019 could be the warmest year on record, with the UK recording the hottest February on record.