A threatening block of bitter air is poised close to the UK but a milder flow from the Atlantic should prevent coldest conditions reaching the country.

High pressure over Scandinavia will gradually push the chill westwards but forecasts suggest less-cold conditions from the west will provide a barrier and prevent the worst of the chill gripping Britain.

The country will be sandwiched between colder air from the east and less chilly mass over the Atlantic.

However it is still expected to feel much cooler than of late with an Arctic mix of blustery winds, sub-zero overnight temperatures and sleet or snow falling from the Midlands and Wales northwards on Thursday and Friday.

There is still some uncertainty and this outlook could easily change with latest computer models indicating the worst of the colder air from the near-Continent not engulfing the British Isles.

Low pressure is expected to begin dominating and it should be a windy week, especially in the south. The colder weather is due to arrive by Wednesday in the east with dry but chilly conditions.

It will be chillier than recent times with winds mainly arriving from the south.

There will be plenty of cloud and rain will increase with some heavy falls expected from midweek.

Winds could be quite blustery at times and it will become quite unsettled.

Expert view

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “Mostly dry conditions are expected on Monday but rain over Ireland will spread to all areas into Tuesday.

"This turns patchy on Wednesday, although more rain will spread into Ireland later. Winds will strengthen into Thursday, with more rain moving in.

"This should turn to sleet and snow at mid-levels northwards from Wales and the north Midlands. Similar conditions are expected on Friday."

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