UK weather latest: Britain set for thunder and snow as temperatures slump following warm spell

Plenty of rainbows expected as sunny intervals and intermittent rain combine on Wednesday

Snow could return to the UK as temperatures continue to slump following a record-breaking warm spell last week.

Met Office forecasters are warning Britons to expect showers through the week and into the weekend with temperatures in the south plummeting as low as 6C on Monday.

“[Wednesday] will be one of those days where it’s sunny one minute, and then there will be heavy downpours the next, with possibly some thunder and hail,” forecaster Aidan McGivern said. “There may even be some snow over the mountains of Scotland.”

The intermittent rain is likely to produce plenty of rainbows, the Met Office said, though there is also the risk of thunder and lightning across all parts of the UK.

The mercury could plunge as low as –2C overnight in parts of Scotland and the north over the weekend, forecasters warn, as stormy weather from the Atlantic arrives with a vengeance.

Thursday is expected to see frequent showers in the morning, followed by sunny spells and cool blustery winds. Showers are expected to be more persistent over western portions of Scotland, with a chance of some thunder.

Rain is expected to move into central and southern portions of Britain on Friday, with some heavy bursts possible. Further north, there will be more in the way of showers. Showers or longer spells of rain are expected on Saturday, particularly for southern and central areas.

May is expected to begin with a spell of unsettled weather, with brisk winds, spells of rain, and perhaps more snow over the Scottish mountains.

Temperatures are expected to remain close to average for the month, but at times it will feel colder with a greater risk of frost overnight, especially in the north, the Met Office said.