Britain's see-saw spring weather is set to continue into next week, with temperatures fluctuating dramatically as Britain endures a temperature "roller-coaster".
Following an exceptionally warm and sunny first week of March, the UK shifted into a colder north to north-easterly pattern, bringing sunshine and scattered showers, with some wintry conditions in places.
The remainder of the weekend is set to be dry and quite cold, with many areas enjoying considerable sunshine today, while tomorrow will likely be cloudier, especially in the south and east.
Next week, temperatures will rise again as the UK experiences a south to south-easterly airflow drawing in warm air masses, according to Net Weather.
Fallow deer shaking off hail following a flash storm earlier this week
PA
Between Tuesday and Thursday, conditions could become warm and sunny for many regions.
If this alternation between dry sunny weather and sunshine with showers persists, March could potentially be exceptionally sunny overall as the first half of the month has enjoyed remarkable sunny climes.
Similarly, the rest of this weekend and next week could bring additional sunny days for many regions.
However, sunshine will likely be more variable than during the first week of March since current forecasts suggest a pattern change during the last week of March, potentially causing a significant decrease in sunshine.
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Nevertheless, the odds still favour a considerably sunnier than average March for most regions, thanks to the exceptional sunshine during the first half of the month.
Experts believe that had this northerly outbreak occurred before 2005 when rapid warming in the Arctic region was first observed, snow showers would likely have been far more widespread.
Most areas now see only rain, sleet, and hail, with temperatures slightly too warm for snow.
Historically, March snowfalls have been quite common in the UK, though they typically melt faster in sunshine compared to winter months.
In some parts of the country, there have been previous periods when sleet and snow were more common in March than in December - but now this traditional pattern is beginning to evolve as Britain's climate warms.
Cheltenham Racecourse was particularly frosty earlier in March
PA
While some areas experienced snow at low elevations last week, most saw only rain, sleet, and hail.
The warming climate has caused March to become increasingly less likely to witness the widespread snowfalls that were once a regular feature of early spring.
This configuration might push the jet stream further south than typical, bringing spells of wet and often cloudy weather.
With increased blocking highs around Greenland and Iceland, Britons might face breezier conditions toward the end of March.
The nation will be safe from further snowfall since, while northerly winds historically brought late snowfalls during this period, the Arctic is likely to be generally warmer than normal.
