UK weather: Met Office map shows which areas will see temperatures plunge to -2C overnight

The Met Office has released a new map showing the UK regions where temperatures are set to plunge below zero overnight, with a 'frosty' start anticipated for tomorrow - Friday.

Thursday night is predicted to be the chilliest part of the week, with temperatures in rural areas potentially dropping to as low as -2C, forecasters have warned. This follows the Met Office's earlier prediction of the first snowfall of late 2024, with temperatures expected to fall significantly below zero in certain regions, particularly Scotland.

A spokesperson previously stated: "A cold front sweeping south will introduce Arctic air to the UK, resulting in below average temperatures nationwide this week. It's possible there could be some snow on the very tops of the highest peaks in Scotland. We're talking above around 800 metres."

Met Office forecasters have said that a 'cold, showery air mass' will sweep across much of the country throughout this week, causing a chilly snap with temperatures falling below the September average.

In a recent update, a Met Office map illustrated how low temperatures could fall in rural parts of the UK, with Thursday night into Friday expected to be the coldest of the week.

Areas in north Scotland are predicted to drop as low as -2C overnight, while north west England could see lows of around 2C. Wales is also expected to experience sub-zero temperatures.

In the update, the Met Office posted: "Hot water bottles at the ready, tonight will be the chilliest of this week's cold spell. Frost is possible in rural locations as temperatures tumble away. Be prepared to potentially scrape the car window first thing on Friday morning."

Friday is expected to remain largely dry following possible patchy frost from Thursday night. Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir noted: "A ridge of high pressure is moving in, so a cold start, with a localised frost, but with that we'll see some sunshine. All change though as we head into the weekend from the north west."

Although next week starts with cooler weather, things are about to heat up with forecasts predicting temperatures to soar up to 21C in parts, including approximately 19C in Greater Manchester, with the warmer weather making a comeback by Tuesday (September 17).

The Met Office informed that warmer air from the Atlantic aims to 'push back across the country' as of Friday (September 13), shaking off the cool northern breezes, spelling a return to more average temperatures for this period of the year, 'cutting off the cold air from the north and seeing a return to temperatures nearer average for the time of year', reports the Manchester Evening News.