UK weather: Where cold snap and snow will hit UK in coming days

After a handful of weeks of warmer weather, many Britons have been hit with wetter weather this week – and face the prospect of heavy rain and plummeting temperatures at the weekend.

The heaviest rain is expected in central and southern parts of England and Wales on Friday.

Further north, there will be some sunshine, but also some showers, which will turn heavier, more frequent later in the week and, as colder conditions become established from the north, some snow is likely for Scottish mountains.

The whole of Britain is forecast to turn much cooler by the weekend, in stark contrast to the start of the month which saw some areas experience the warmest October day for five years, according to the Met Office.

Daytime temperatures could potentially be up to 10C colder on Saturday than earlier this week across southern England. The first widespread overnight frost of the season is also likely across many central and northern areas over the weekend.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Brent Walker said: “By the weekend we expect all regions of the UK to be in the cold airmass and overnight frosts are possible.

“With high pressure continuing to dominate our weather early next week, it will start largely fine, settled, and cool by day, with cold nights and a risk of rural air frosts in places.”

• Read more: ‘Risk to life’ from flooding remains as heavy rain continues in Scotland (PA)

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.

Scotland

Thursday night:

Much of the night will stay dry with clear periods. Cloud will increase from the west later with some rain reaching western parts towards morning. Fresh winds. Minimum temperature 4C.

Friday:

Rain west soon clears leaving much of the day dry with sunny spells and the occasional shower in the west, becoming wintry over the hills. Windy, gales in north later. Maximum temperature 12C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Cloudy and cold with bright spells and showers, these wintry over the hills. Strong northwest winds Saturday, gales in the north. Wind easing Sunday becoming drier and milder Monday.

South West

Thursday Night:

An unsettled end to the day with heavy rain and strong winds sweeping across the region during this evening and overnight. Remaining rather mild. Minimum temperature 13C.

Friday:

A cloudy and damp start with some outbreaks of heavy rain, possibly thundery, before easing at times through the afternoon. Strong winds, especially during the morning before gradually easing. Maximum temperature 19C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Plenty of autumnal sunshine through the weekend and into Monday. The odd shower possible on Saturday but feeling much cooler, especially overnight with temperatures down into single figures.

Midlands

Thursday night:

Cloudy during this evening with heavy rain pushing across the region overnight, accompanied by some stronger winds. Feeling milder once again. Minimum temperature 11C.

Friday:

A wet and often windy day with outbreaks of heavy rain, especially during the morning before gradually easing into the late afternoon. Milder with winds turning lighter later. Maximum temperature 17C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Plenty of autumnal sunshine through the weekend and into Monday. A few showers on Saturday but feeling much cooler, especially overnight with a rural frost possible in prone spots.

North East

Thursday night:

Generally staying dry Thursday evening, but wet weather returns from midnight as a band of rain arrives from the west. Chilly in rural spots, though milder than of late. Minimum temperature 5 °C.

Friday:

Rain clearing southeastwards through Friday morning, giving a day of sunshine and the occasional shower. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Brighter through this period, with good spells of sunshine and occasional showers. Temperatures becoming widely below average for the time of year. Widespread overnight frosts throughout, especially in rural spots.

North West

Thursday night:

Remaining largely dry this evening but turning increasingly cloudy as heavy rain moves across the region overnight and into the early hours. Feeling much milder than the previous night. Minimum temperature 11C.

Friday:

A wet start with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times through the morning. Becoming much drier, brighter and fresher during the afternoon with the odd shower. Maximum temperature 14C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Plenty of autumnal sunshine through the weekend and into Monday. A few showers possible, mainly on the coasts on Saturday but feeling cooler, especially overnight with a frost forming.

London and the South East

• Monday and Tuesday

Thursday night:

Wet weather returns Thursday evening as a band of cloud and rain, heavy in places, passes through the region, lingering throughout the night. Mild overnight. Minimum temperature 14C.

Friday:

Humid, with widespread cloud and rain Friday, perhaps heavy, blustery, and thundery in places, clearing through the evening. Fresher conditions following. Maximum temperature 20C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Turning brighter, fresher, and chillier throughout this period, with occasional showers and some good spells of sunshine.

Northern Ireland

Thursday night:

A cloudy night with some clear spells, most places dry, perhaps some patchy rain Armagh and County Down towards morning. Minimum temperature 5C.

Friday:

Turning colder with sunny spells and a few showers, accompanied by fresh to strong northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Cold with sunny spells, showers and easing wind Saturday. Showers clear by early Sunday with sunny spells increasing in milder conditions Monday.

Wales

Thursday night:

Remaining cloudy with heavy rain approaching from the southwest during the evening and sweeping across the country overnight, accompanied by some stronger winds. Milder. Minimum temperature 13C.

Friday:

A cloudy and damp start with outbreaks of heavy rain during the morning, especially over the hills. Rain gradually clearing later in the afternoon. Feeling rather warm. Maximum temperature 17C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Plenty of autumnal sunshine through the weekend and into Monday. Scattered showers on Saturday but feeling much cooler, especially overnight with a rural frost possible in prone spots.