The UK is set to shiver through a chilly day on Sunday, but forecasters warn of colder temperatures to come, with snow expected around southern England on February 28 as part of another "Beast from the East" prediction.
Following a dry and mild February, cold temperatures are expected due to the phenomenon of a Sudden Stratospheric Warming event (SSW), according to The Mirror.
The UK's top meteorologists have confirmed that colder weather is more likely due to an SSW, the effects of which can take up to three weeks to reach the UK.
Arctic snap set to hit UK
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Due to the position of high pressure, it has not been confirmed whether the Beast from the East will hit the UK.
Despite sunny spells at the start of the month, wintry showers are expected as temperatures drop, as per CoventryLive.
Long-term forecasts indicated that conditions will be settled by the beginning of March before the high-pressure shifts, increasing the likelihood of cold temperatures and wintry showers.
According to the Met Office, much of the UK will see dry, settled conditions through early March, though cloudier conditions and showers, possibly wintry, are expected for the north and east at times, particularly along the coast.
Some sunny spells are still possible, particularly in the south, where clear skies may result in frost patches.
Temperatures are generally cold.
High pressure is expected to migrate north-westwards toward the end of the period, increasing the likelihood of wintry showers in the north and east.
The Met Office amitted that there was a slight chance of more "organized rain or snow" in early March before high winds became disruptive, but despite the high pressure, some parts of the UK are expected to remain "largely snow-free."
Rain and snow are expected at times between March 12 and March 26, with a small chance of these combining with stronger winds to cause local disruption.
Overall, conditions are expected to be mixed, with some areas remaining mostly snow-free.
The northwest is expected to remain the driest throughout.
Temperatures are likely to remain below average at first, with a trend toward average temperatures expected later.
Despite this trend, brief cold spells are still possible and more likely than usual.
The Met Office issued a cold weather warning in the second week of February, which is still in effect.
At level one of four, the alert applies to the whole of England and urges basic measures "to reduce the risk of harm to health from cold weather", as per the Independent.
On Monday (27 February), the weather in northwest Scotland and parts of southern England will be pleasant, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
Most people will have a dry day, but northern and eastern England residents can expect a few brief showers, according to the Met Office.
The best sunshine will most likely be found in northwest Scotland and the western parts of the country.
Longer forecast predictions from the Met Office indicate that much of the UK will be dry through early March, though cloudier conditions and showers, possibly wintry, are expected for the north and east at times, particularly along the coast.
Earlier this week, temperatures in Suffolk reached 16 degrees Celsius, compared to 8 degrees Celsius for this time of year.
According to the Met Office, the warm weather was caused by Atlantic air moving across the UK.
