Britain is set for a freezing Bank Holiday weekend with widespread frost and temperatures plummeting to -5C.
Parts of the country will see temperatures almost ten degrees lower than average for this time of year, with snow and hail also expected in the north.
Wind and showers are set to hit the south, with the possibility of thunderstorms on Saturday, according to the Met Office.
It is a sharp contrast to the Easter Bank Holiday, when record-breaking temperatures hit 23C in some places.
Meteorologist Steven Keates told the Standard: “It won’t be a springlike weekend, with temperatures falling below average for the next few days.
“On Saturday, a brisk northerly wind will bring showers to the east and north, feeding in showers, including in London.
“The Scottish highlands will see some snow, while further south there’ll be cold rain and the chance of hail.
“The unstable weather could also bring some thunderstorms – it won’t be a pleasant day – and strong winds and temperatures of between 9 and 11C mean it’ll feel a lot colder than it is.
“In the west there’ll be fewer showers and lighter winds with a bit of sunshine, with temperatures peaking at 14C – a few degrees below average.”
Mr Keates warned gardeners to bring their plants in overnight and to “take a thick duvet if you’re off camping".
He added: “Overnight into Sunday, there will be less wind but a sharp frost will set in, with lows of -4C in western England.
“It’s typically around 2 to 5C at this time of year so it will be really cold and a crisp start to Sunday.
“Sunday will be better than Saturday, with a bit of cloud and a few showers but with sunny spells.
“It won’t be too bad but it might be a bit chilly, with highs of 14 or 15C at best for most of the country.
“There’ll be another frost overnight into Monday, falling as low as -5C, and it’ll be another chilly but dry day with highs of 14C.”
