Wintry rain showers and stiff winds are predicted for much of the UK over the weekend and into next week, but forecasters insist warmer weather is on the way.
Saturday will bring a mixed picture of sunny spells and showers for many, with the heaviest and most frequent rains in the north where they will feel wintry over high ground.
More rain will sweep into the south of the UK by the evening but will clear across the region on Sunday morning as conditions turn colder, especially across the northeast.
However, meteorologists say that it won't be long before spring finally arrives, with predictions that the UK will bask in sunshine within a few short weeks, bringing an end to months of frigid conditions
Brits could expect temperatures to reach 20C by the end of the Easter weekend in April after a persistent northerly breeze finally begins to settle down.
The south and east of England are most likely to enjoy the warmer climate, according to British Weather Services' senior meteorological consultant, Jim Dale.
"We went through February and it was dry and predominantly mild. When I say it was dry, it was exceptionally dry in the southeast, so we had to make that up," he told the Mirror.
"We're starting to come out of it just in time for Easter, and we're likely to see some high pressure come on just before Good Friday.
"It's not a given, but there are good signs that this kind of change of fortunes will arrive just in time for Easter.
"If we give it some time - and I'm not just talking about Good Friday or the Saturday, but certainly the back end of the bank holiday weekend and the week that follows for the school holidays - it does look like it might well become warmer."
It wouldn't be unusual for an April to see a warmer blast following a chilly spell, however.
It's a swing month, which essentially means it could go in either direction, he said.
Jim said: "The only other thing to mention is that the sun's angle is getting such that when you get sunshine - even on a northerly airstream - it gets quite warm.
"So I would expect that as we go through the Easter period, I would expect us to nudge the 20-degree mark in the south and east, and maybe even the north into eastern Scotland.
"That's a bit of conjecture, and maybe a bit of hope, but it wouldn't be that unusual."
Five-day weather forecast
Saturday:
Sunny spells and showers for most, heaviest and most frequent in the north where they will be wintry over high ground. More persistent rain arriving in far southwest towards evening.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Rain clearing the south Sunday morning then turning colder with wintry showers, especially across the northeast. Cold but mostly dry Monday after a frost then turning milder and wetter Tuesday.
