Colder and more seasonal temperatures will replace the milder conditions in the coming days with snow possible on some hills, forecasters have said.
Frosts are possible in northern areas as “more typical February weather” is expected to dominate the UK from the end of this week through until the beginning of March.
It comes after recent temperatures produced highs of around 15C (59F) – five degrees higher than average for the time of year – as heavy rain swept across large parts of the country.
As next month approaches, the “colder interludes” will bring rain or sleet in parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland – but there could be some snow at lower levels.
Find out the forecast for where you live
Sky News weather producer Christopher England said: “It will be mostly quite mild for much of the week, thanks to a generally west to south-westerly flow.
“But the wind will become more northerly by Friday, so it will turn colder, with temperatures dropping to around the February average for most, perhaps a little below in the North.
“Overnight frosts are possible there. Not really a cold snap, just a return to more typical February weather.
“It will stay unsettled over the weekend, with plenty of showers running in, concentrated in the west and especially the North West.
“Some snow is likely over northern hills, but expect rain or sleet elsewhere.”
In its long-range forecast, the Met Office said it will be “rather cold” in northern areas as the unusually mild temperatures return to “around average” values for the time of year as conditions become more “unsettled”.
It said: “Showers likely to be heaviest and most frequent into western areas. Any snow will be restricted to hills, mainly in the North.
“Temperatures will be around average for the time of year, possibly rather cold in the North with overnight frost most likely here.
“A generally unsettled pattern is most likely through to early March bringing spells of rain across all areas at times.
“Temperatures generally around average though some short-lived colder interludes are possible.
“These more likely in the North which may allow snow to fall to lower levels at times.”
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