Snow Forecast As UK's Early Summer Vanishes

Early signs of summer that brought a record-breaking heatwave are set to be replaced by much chillier weather across the UK - with snow predicted in some parts.

After temperatures in one town plunged by more than 13C, forecasters say snow could hit several areas during the week.

Aboyne, in Aberdeenshire, saw the mercury reach 23.6C (74.5F) on March 27 - the third successive day the record for the month was broken .

The same region experienced temperatures of just 7C (44.6F) on Saturday.

Elsewhere in the country temperatures struggled to get into double figures and forecasters say conditions are unlikely to improve in the near future.

Although temperatures will be above the seasonal average in most places, Arctic winds could see rain turn to snow over the Scottish Highlands.

There may also be snow in northern England on Monday night and Tuesday.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Most places will be dry overnight, with a frost for southern Britain, but northern and central Scotland will have outbreaks of rain, with snow possible over the mountains.

"It's set to turn even colder during the week, with daytime temperatures in single figures across the UK by Wednesday.

"It'll feel even colder in the brisk wind. There'll also be some snow, which is not uncommon in April.

"Tomorrow, Scotland will have showers, but more prolonged rain will affect the north during the afternoon, bringing snow to the hills and eventually some lower levels.

"The Grampians and the Highlands are likely to see significant accumulations of snow later.

"The rest of Britain and Ireland will be cloudy, with a scattering of rain showers, but southern England will stay dry, with sunny spells.

"It'll turn cold across the north of Britain, particularly in northern Scotland.

"But there certainly looks to be a big change from the warm and sunny conditions we've been used to."

The change in weather came as it was confirmed March was the sunniest since 1929 after 187 hours of sunshine.

The only years to have a warmer March in the past 100 years were 1938, 1948, 1957, 1990 and 1997.