Brits have been warned to expect severe gales and heavy rain in parts of the country before a -7C Arctic freeze in early February.
A cold snap in January has seen frosty starts and near zero temperatures during the day but the mercury is set to briefly rise in the coming days with milder conditions.
There is a north-south split, though, with brighter skies for the south and severe gales and heavy rain predicted for Scotland on Wednesday night and heading into Thursday.
BBC weather forecaster Ben Rich says people in England can expect a brighter day on Wednesday but in Scotland strong gales are looming.
He said: "On Wednesday, England and Wales having a better chance of some sunny spells, although to the south east corner it may stay cloudy for a good part of the day.
"Strengthening winds across northern areas, rain just getting into Northern Ireland, certainly settling into western and north western Scotland through the afternoon, gusts of wind in excess of 50mph in exposed north western parts but milder than it has been certainly across England and Wales.
"Through Wednesday night it will turn very, very windy across the far north, gales, even severe gales near to the northern isles.
"A band of cloud and increasingly patchy rain will be sinking its way southwards through the night with some fairly windy weather and relatively cloudy weather as well. Temperatures should stay above freezing in most places.”
The blustery conditions are set to remain in place during Thursday in Scotland and there will also be rain for parts of England.
Temperatures are expected to be around 7C to 12C at the end of the week and Mr Rich said that it could be "very mild" over the weekend.
But it certainly won't mean the end of winter as a polar blast is set for early February where the mercury could plunge as low as -7C.
Maps from WXCharts show the cold weather sweeping in from the north west, leaving much of the country with sub zero temperatures around February 6 and 7.
Snow is also on the cards with a covering in the north west of England but in the Highlands of Scotland could get up to 75cm (about 30 inches).
UK forecast for the next 5 days
Today:
Parts of southern England perhaps still dull and chilly but perhaps some brighter spells. The rest of England and Wales brighter, breezier and slightly milder. Further north, cloud increasing, bringing rain and strong winds to north and west Scotland; mild.
Tonight:
Rain sinking south across central UK, briefly heavy on western hills. Further north, turning more showery, but a spell of severe gales in the far north. Southern areas mostly dry.
Thursday:
Patchy rain and drizzle slowly clearing southern England, sunnier skies across central areas following; feeling mild. Blustery showers in parts of Scotland, wintry on hills, winds and showers easing later.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Cold at first, then unsettled and often windy across the north with gales around some coasts. Rain at times, mostly across hills of the northwest. Mainly dry for the south.
