UK weather forecast latest: Britain now set for heavy rain, thunder and even snow following mini-heatwave

Heavy rain, thunder and snow are set to blast the UK as temperatures plummet following last week's mini heatwave.

Forecasters predict lows near freezing from Tuesday night in Scotland, with the Scottish Highlands, North Pennines and Lake District the most likely areas to be hit by snow in the coming days.

Met Office meteorologist John West said that cold weather towards the end of the week could include “hail, sleet showers and snow, especially on higher ground”.

Daytime temperatures for the rest of the UK could plunge almost 20C to just 10C after hot air from Europe brought glorious highs of 29C last week.

The south east will be the warmest part of the country over the next few days with highs between 10C to 14C elsewhere.

Monday will be the warmest day of the week with temperatures of around 15C before the rain sets in.

Mr West said: “We’re seeing some of the warmest weather at the moment across the UK, but things are set to turn cooler by the end of the week.

“Rain and some showers are to be expected, but there will be a good deal of sunshine too.

“Monday is a very dry day before rain pushes into the west this evening. That rain will not be particularly heavy, but will be heaviest in some parts of Scotland.

“Throughout the course of tonight and tomorrow morning we’ll start seeing some heavy rain in the likes of Wales, pushing into the more central areas towards the midlands and perhaps as far south as Oxfordshire through Tuesday morning.”

Tuesday will be damp but not desperately cold in London, with highs of 14C and 16C.

Mr West continued: “Rain will spread across much of England and Wales, with a few heavier bursts but for many it’s going to be quite light and rather damp through the course of Tuesday.

“There will be plenty of cloud around and some outbreaks of light rain and drizzle, but not too wet.”

The rain in England and Wales will eventually spread to the east through Tuesday and eventually Tuesday evening.

Wednesday will gradually turn into a story of sunshine and showers with a fair amount with a threat of thunder and heavy rain in some parts.

Mr West warned of thunderstorms in some parts, adding: “We could even see the odd rumble of thunder through Wednesday.

“Showers will be more frequent in the north but we will see some showers across England and Wales and even some southern counties towards the capital.

“That theme stays in place through the rest of the week for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There is a good chance we will see plenty of sunny spells but also scattered showers, with some of those being quite thundery as we go through the end of the week.”

Friday is predicted to be cloudier with rather damp conditions spreading in across the south once again.

Mr West added: “Wednesday and Thursday will experience highs between 14C and 15C, but Friday will be cooler between 12C and 14C, cooling off towards the end of the week and the weekend.”