Temperatures across the UK are set to plummet towards freezing in some areas as a dramatic weather divide takes hold of the nation.
Scotland is bracing for snow and powerful winds exceeding 50mph over the coming days.
Meanwhile, southern England is expected to enjoy a week-long spell of sunshine, with some parts set to be warmer than the Greek capital of Athens.
The Met Office has warned that snow may fall on mountains next Wednesday evening and on higher ground on Thursday morning, primarily in the Highlands and areas above 250m.
Temperatures are set to rise next week
PA/Met Office
Forecaster James Madden from Exacta Weather predicted an “unusually late wintry blast” to arrive around Friday.
London is predicted to experience temperatures in double digits every day from Thursday, with a high of 12C forecast next Tuesday.
This stark contrast highlights the North-South divide in weather patterns across Britain. Northern regions of Scotland will face winds of more than 50mph over the weekend and into Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Met Office has indicated a clear “North West to South East split” developing across the UK.
Areas in the South East including Essex, London, Hampshire and Kent are expected to hold onto sunshine for consecutive days. Meanwhile, Scotland faces the brunt of wintry conditions with snow expected in the Highlands.
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Warm temperatures are set to hit the UK in March
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However, the cold snap won’t last long, with a dramatic warm spell set to sweep across Britain by early March.
According to maps by WXCharts, temperatures will begin to heat up on Wednesday with Aberdeen potentially reaching a balmy 16C.
This would make parts of Scotland hotter than Athens, which is forecast to peak at just 15C during the same period.
By March 6, temperatures could reach an unusually high 14C in the southeast. Cities including London, Cambridge, Chelmsford and Northampton are all expected to enjoy temperatures between 13C-14C.
This marks a significant shift from the current cold conditions. However, the warm spell may be short-lived, with forecasters warning of another storm approaching on March 9.
Jonathan Vautrey, a meteorologist at the Met Office, explained the developing weather pattern: “In the weekend and the start of next week, we will start to see weather fronts pushing in from the North West.
“Whilst high pressure is going to be situated to the southeast of the UK, the main area of low pressure will essentially be pushing towards Iceland.”
He added that high pressure is “looking to pretty much stay across the South East all the way until the latter stages of next week.”
“Meanwhile, Northern Ireland and Scotland have the potential for cloudier, windier, damper conditions.”