Brits will be plummeted into sub-zero temperatures with snow expected to fall this week.
Despite spring having officially started, an area of low pressure will blow in come Wednesday, throwing a dusting over certain parts of the UK.
Saturday night will be largely dry but chilly across the UK, with light winds and frost in the west and minimum temperatures of -3C predicted in Edinburgh.
Sunday is set to follow a similar pattern to Saturday, with a likelihood of more sun in the east with the high pressure finally taking over.
Early patches of mist and fog will soon lift and clear on Sunday morning, becoming dry and bright with spells of sunshine into the afternoon but patchy cloud will build with the chance of a few showers developing.
Monday will be dry and cloudy with strong spells of sunshine across Scotland, forecasters say.
Tuesday will be similar but sunnier across much of England, Wales and Scotland.
Cloud will build in later in the day from the west across Northern Ireland.
Predictions from forecaster WXCharts say that "heavy" snow will arrive next Friday.
On Thursday evening, there could even be over 20cm of snow in Wales and Scotland before it sweeps across the country overnight, the charts say.
There is likely to be over 20cm of snow in the Midlands and flurries also on the south coast, they say.
The Met Office has also warned Brits of strong winds, frost, freezing temperatures and coastal gales all sweeping in from the west.
The snow comes as an area low pressure blows in from the Atlantic bringing stormy conditions.
The areas most likely to see snow are elevated regions in the north of England and Scotland.
The Met forecast states: “As we move through the period there will be an increased likelihood of spells of rain, potentially preceded by snow, arriving from the west.
“Winds will likely strengthen through midweek with an increasing likelihood of coastal gales.”
The Met added that the timings still remain a bit uncertain, but the swing in conditions is expected to hit on Tuesday or Wednesday, causing chaos the Atlantic air clashes with the colder eastern winds.
Outbreaks of rain are likely for some western areas, it's been reported, becoming persistent and heaviest over south facing hills from Wednesday.
The East is expected to be the driest region this week, but it remains cloudy and drizzly, with a few spells of sunshine.
For the rest of March, forecasts say temperatures are expected to be mild to normal.
But expect intermittent winds and rain, with a chance of some snowfall through the month.
UK five-day weather forecast
Today:
A good deal of cloud across southern and some central areas with a few showers, particularly in the morning, elsewhere dry with sunny periods, best across northern areas.
Tonight:
Isolated showers in southern areas fading then partly cloudy with some clear spells. Clear and frosty further north with isolated freezing fog patches developing.
Monday:
Dry for most with variable cloud and sunny spells, these most prolonged in the north and to the lee of high ground. Brisk winds for exposed coastal areas in south.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Windy throughout, especially in the west where it will be cloudier with some rain at times. Eastern areas may well stay largely dry. Turning milder for all.
