UK weather: Cold front cools most of UK while southeast stays warm

The southeast can expect maximum temperatures of 24C

(Getty Images)

Temperatures are set to cool slightly as Wednesday begins with a cloudy start that should brighten up as the day progresses, according to the Met Office.

The southeast is expected to stay warm despite the cold front that began moving in across the UK on Tuesday evening, leading to heavy showers overnight in parts of northwest Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

Northern Scotland can expect heavy showers throughout Wednesday, while it will rain in northern England and Wales during the mid-morning and early afternoon but should dry up later on in the day. 

Southern England will mostly avoid the rain, which is expected to fizzle out by the time the band of clouds moves south, with only occasional spots of rain likely as the sky clears towards the evening.

Wednesday should feel fresher than Tuesday across most of the country – though the southeast may reach peaks of 24C as it remains unaffected by the cold front. Temperatures in other areas are not expected to exceed the high 10s.

As the cloud cover dissipates, the UK will feel the full effect of the cold front, with overnight temperatures dropping nationwide. 

Thursday will be off to a chilly start as the country is plunged into single figures, moving into the high 10s in parts of the southeast later on in the day. Despite the cooler feel, the day is expected to stay bright and mostly dry.

It is likely to get warmer again as we head into the weekend, with dry weather expected in the south while northern England and western Scotland will see a more mixed end to the week, with showers and spells of wind expected.