London weather: Snow could fall next week as temperatures plunge to zero

Temperatures are expected to drop sharply in London next week (PA Archive)
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply in London next week (PA Archive)

A cold spell is set to grip London and the rest of the country within days as temperatures plunge towards zero.

The Met Office has predicted a shift to cooler, more unsettled weather in London from the weekend into next week.

The forecaster told the Standard there is a chance the UK could see some wintry hazards next week, such as snow and sleet, but added it could not say so with any certainty.

The Met Office has predicted there could be lows of 2C on Monday and it could feel as cold as -1C on Wednesday morning in the capital.

Spells of rain are expected on Saturday and Sunday with increasing winds before the weather clears on Sunday evening leading to a cold, dry and sunny Monday.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by Tuesday.

“Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air.

“As this colder air mixes with the rainfall, it does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.”

Similarly, BBC Weather has warned the capital is expected to get much colder early next week and could reach freezing temperatures on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Although the forecaster has predicted a mild weekend with sunny intervals and temperatures over 10C throughout the weekend, conditions could quickly change.

Temperatures in London may drop to as low as 3C on Monday before dropping to freezing on Wednesday.

The BBC has also warned there could be spells of sleet on Thursday and temperatures will struggle to climb above 4C.