A UK weather map reveals where snow showers could strike – but only after Britain experiences an unseasonable mini-heat wave.
The UK could feel as hot as Madrid as temperatures are set to soar to 17C – 5C hotter than average – before plummeting down again at the end of the week.
The warmer weather is caused by a 600 mile-wide subtropical surge which will arrive in Scotland on Tuesday and will last until Halloween on Thursday – bringing with it dryer skies following Monday’s forecasted showers.
There will be some sunny breaks this week, but mainly cloudy conditions will give a gloomy feel, with fog forecast in the evenings and nights.
A map has revealed where snow may strike this weekend. Snow showers are most likely in Scotland
The snow will follow unseasonably hot weather caused by a 600 mile-wide subtropical surge which will arrive in Scotland on Tuesday. (stock image)
BBC Weather said: ‘Cold air of Arctic origins will sink south at the weekend. Temperatures could fall below average’
Other parts of the UK are also expected to be cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle possible almost anywhere, though many central and eastern areas will only see small amounts.
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: ‘It could be an amazing Halloween, with warm afternoons followed by spooky fog at night.’
But the warmer weather is not here to stay as a polar plunge threatens snow flurries at the weekend in Scotland.
Fireworks fans face chills, with -3C lows expected and near-freezing nights even in cities.
A Met Office forecaster said: ‘We can say goodbye to rain as the weather looks settled this week.
‘But as November starts, there is the chance of much colder conditions with snow showers in northern areas.’
BBC Weather added: ‘Cold air of Arctic origins will sink south at the weekend. Temperatures could fall below average.’
Maps from WXCharts show the areas most likely to see snow – with a 20 per cent chance – are those closest to the Scottish highlands. Edinburgh and Aberdeen have a ten per cent chance of seeing snowfall, according to the maps.
Much of England, Wales, and eastern Scotland were blessed with fine, dry and sunny spells today – a stark contrast to recent weeks which have seen Storm Ashley wreak havoc across the UK and Ireland.
Dozens of flights were cancelled and heavy flooding blocked off major roads last weekend due to 80mph winds and pouring rain.
The first named storm of the season lashed Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England on October 19, as the Met Office issued danger to life warnings.
Amber weather warnings were in place in Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland until midnight on October 20.
A polar plunge threatens snow flurries at the weekend in Scotland. Fireworks fans face chills, with -3C lows expected and near-freezing nights even in cities
Flights were cancelled at both Belfast City Airport and Dublin Airport as Storm Ashley barrelled into the UK and Ireland. Astonishing footage showed planes struggling to land in Dublin, with pilots having to take back off and try again.
In a passenger update posted on X, formerly Twitter, Dublin Airport said weather conditions had led to some airlines, including Aer Lingus, cancelling flights.
The stormy conditions had also saw ferry services in Scotland and Northern Ireland cancelled, while there are also warnings that trains were affected too.
Meanwhile Stenaline and P&O sailings between Northern Ireland and Scotland were heavily affected, with most sailings cancelled.
Translink was also warning of possible disruption to the rail network, due to the weather conditions.
Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure said temporary tidal flood defences were deployed along the River Lagan at high-risk areas such as Lockview Road and Cutters Warf in south Belfast.
An amber warning for the north-west of Scotland had been issued from 9am until midnight on October 20, with the weather service warning ‘injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, sea fronts and properties’.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said ‘very strong, severe gales’ would coincide with high spring tides, which could also result in ‘very large waves’.
The north of Scotland remained under a yellow warning for wind from midnight until 9am on October 21.
Further south, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for the south-west of England and South Wales until midday on October 20 with a threat of disruption to travel with flooding and possible interruptions to power supplies.
Mr Stroud said strong, gale force winds were due to continue through to October 21, meaning ‘fallen debris and trees’ could affect commuters at the start of the week.
Road users in Scotland were advised to avoid unnecessary travel where possible, while Sunday’s annual Great South Run in Portsmouth, Hampshire, were cancelled because of weather-related safety concerns.
Police Scotland were advised motorists to ‘plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible’ ahead of the ‘strong likelihood’ of disruption on roads, while Transport Scotland has warned of likely delays to public transport, including the country’s ferry network.