UK weather forecast: Freezing temperatures recorded overnight ahead of sunnier spells this weekend
Brits woke up to freezing weather this morning, but warmer weather is set to bring plenty of sunny spells this weekend.
The Met Office said Katesbridge in Northern Ireland had seen its lowest temperature ever recorded in May, when the mercury plunged to -6.1C on Thursday morning Previously, the area's lowest temperature for May was -5.2C in 1995.
Temperatures in Shap, Cumbria, dropped to -4.6C overnight, while -4C was recorded in North Yorkshire.
But the temperature is set to rise this weekend, with those in England able to take some advantage of the new coronavirus lockdown guidelines, as highs of 20C are predicted in London
The eased lockdown restrictions allow people to take unlimited exercise outdoors and meet a friend at the park, as long as they are socially distanced.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey told the Evening Standard the warmer weather would pick up on Friday for "plenty of sunshine" in the south east on Saturday and Sunday.
"It's cloudy in the north today with some chance of rain and showers in Scotland and maybe a bit of drizzle in the north west," said Ms Maxey.
"There will also be some showers in the coastal areas of East Anglia but it will feel warmer for the south of the UK. Temperatures are slowly warming day-on-day."
Temperatures are expected to reach up to 18C in London on Friday, with highs above 14C in other parts of the country.
Ms Maxey added: "Going into the weekend it will be mostly dry with plenty of sunny spells in the South and some un-settled periods in the North West."
London could see highs of 19C on Saturday and 20C on Sunday while in Birmingham temperatures could rise to 17C on Saturday and 19C on Sunday.
“By the time we get to the middle of next week, temperatures will be in the 20s and we could even start seeing them up towards the mid-20s," said Ms Maxey.
“We will be seeing the return of warmer weather and temperatures above average for this time of year.”
She said the cold snap had been caused by a high-pressure system bringing cold air from the north, but next week would see air from the south warming things up.
