Snow forecast in UK as temperatures plummet

The mild conditions of the past two weeks are set to give way to freezing temperatures, with sleet and snow predicted in parts of Britain over the weekend.

Although Scotland and the east coast of England will face the worst of the weather, forecasters say snow could fall across the UK.

Temperatures in 2013 have been mild so far – 10C (50F) was recorded in London on Wednesday – but the mercury is expected to plummet by the end of the week.

Sean Penston, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said it would soon start getting colder. "The minimum temperature in the UK will be into minus figures," he said. "By Sunday it could be -4C or -5C in some parts. There's more of an easterly wind coming in, with the possibility of snow showers by the weekend and the start of next week."

He added: "It's difficult to say for certain at the moment, but in parts of Scotland there will be quite a bit of snow, as well as the east coast of England. Western areas will be a bit more sheltered from the conditions."

The Met Office said the UK's weather would take a turn for the worse as high pressure developed over Scandinavia, allowing cold air in from the north-east, while milder air and Atlantic weather systems pushed in from the west.

"All parts of the UK will see cold weather setting in over the weekend," said Paul Gundersen, the Met Office's chief forecaster. "We can expect sleet and snow showers to affect eastern areas at times, but with a battle developing between the cold air in the east and mild air pushing in from the west, no one should be surprised to see sleet or snow over the weekend and next week."