THE UK will be hotter than Barcelona today as temperatures soared to a balmy 20C before a polar plunge blasts the country later this week.

Balmy sunshine descended on large parts of Britain today, while thundery showers swept across Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia this afternoon.

The Met Office recorded temperatures as high as 20C – just higher than the 18C recorded today in the Spanish city of Barcelona.

But forecasters have warned that the spell is set to turn, with "chillier weather on the way".

The change is due to a polar continental air mass that will bring in cooler air from Scandinavia and Russia.

Showey rain is set to continue in the south, but it will be largely fine elsewhere, though colder for most.

By Wednesday the blast from the north will push down on the UK, affecting the far south.

The Met Office forecast highs are set to feel like 5-9C for most from Tuesday in easterly windchill, and 3-8C by Thursday.

Government weathermen warned of -5C nights, with snow set to hit even low levels in the north on Thursday and Friday.

The south also risks snow flurries, The Weather Outlook said.

Be in control of your bills – and save an average of £219

SWITCHCRAFT is a free service that finds you the right energy deal – and you could save an average of £219 a year.

• Sign up, compare and switch with Switchcraft
• You’ll automatically be switched at the end of your new plan when a cheaper deal comes up
• Get £5 free cashback when you sign up

A fiver will be paid into your bank account within four months of completing the switch. prepayment meter customer customers will receive a £5 Amazon voucher. Open to those 18 and over. UK residents only. Click here for full T&Cs.

But the Met Office said the Easter weekend is set for a warm-up, with highs over 20C on the cards into late April, with warm weather continuing into May.

Up to 24C around Easter and 26C from late April were forecast by The Weather Outlook.

SLEET OR SNOW POSSIBLE

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: "A 'Beast from the North-East' from Scandinavia means it could be a white Easter holidays for some.

"Sleet or snow even in the South can't be ruled out.

"But warm air is expected later in the month, with a spread of computer model outcomes as some suggest up to 24C from around Easter and 26C in late April into early May."

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: "Cold air will come straight from the Arctic, passing Sweden and Norway, bringing cold easterly winds affecting temperatures.

"Monday to Wednesday daytimes see 8C on the east coast, but feeling cold in winds, with the west seeing 16C but also night frosts and -3C lows on Monday night.

"Temperatures come down for all by Thursday and Friday, with highs struggling to 9-10C, some snow possible in the north and -5C possible at night with widespread frost risks if clouds clear at night.

"Rain and strong winds follow from the weekend.

"But warmer weather is possible by Easter, with a good chance of high pressure building, and late April has over 20C possible if there is clear skies."

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: "Is this the spring edition of the ‘Beast from the East?’

"Easterlies are set to sweep all before them, with raw winds originating in Arctic Russia for Easter holidays with snowfall possible.

"But a mid-month change sees warmer conditions through Easter, with April 22-May 5 seeing proper spring weather."

Source: Read Full Article