Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, warned the pleasant spring tranquillity of the past few days is about to be ‘abruptly ended’
He said: “This is a fairly major system which we expect to affect the UK from Tuesday into Wednesday, it may be something we issue a warning for.
“We are expecting severe gale-force gusts in exposed regions later on Tuesday and into Wednesday.
“This system, which is a double-barrelled low-pressure organisation, has got some venom and is going to keep people on their toes.
“It is safe to say the tranquillity we have enjoyed through the start of the month is about to come to an abrupt end.”
UK snow forecast: Snow could fall in southern regions (Image: WXCHARTS)
The forecast for this week said: Unsettled conditions look likely to dominate for this period, with low pressure across the UK. Therefore, this should bring changeable weather to most of the country, with periods of rain, showers, and strong winds at times. While mild westerly and southwesterly winds are expected to be dominant for most of the period, occasional colder northerly winds are possible, bringing a chance of snowfall, likely confined to far northern parts.
The BBC s long-range forecast between Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 31, predicted northerly winds to push cold air into the UK.