UK weather: Snow storm forecast maps show 2 inches will fall after mini heatwave

Advanced weather modelling maps suggest heavy and will soon spell an end to the that is currently bringing balmy temperatures to , , and .

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far as the revealed temperatures reached 23.7C in Otterbourne, Hampshire. Temperatures are expected to be a notch or two cooler today, but the mercury should still hit 20C in southern parts of England. However, the sunshine looks set to make way for more miserable conditions in a few days' time - with two inches of expected to come down in some parts of the country.

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The GFS model shows that a storm will move over the UK from the Atlantic on April 13, bringing snow to Scotland and northern parts of England. At 6am the maps suggest snow could be falling at a rate of around 1cm an hour from the Pennines right up to Wick in the far north.

The snow is expected to drift southward throughout the day. Maps for midday on April 13 show snow hitting , and with 2cm per hour flurries on the cards.

Snow coverage maps for later on April 13 reveal the full extent of this unseasonal Arctic blast. As much as 5cm (two inches) of snow could settle on the ground in the Scottish Highlands. The north-east of England could see as much as 4cm (1.5 inches).

Weather forecasters have warned that "air masses of Arctic origin" could bring chilly conditions back to the UK later this month. Their forecast for April 7 to April 13 states: "The second week of April offers only slight changes in the general weather pattern initially. It could remain drier and calmer, with temperatures near the seasonal average at first but trending slightly above again as the week progresses. However, chilly nights are possible at least at first, with an ongoing risk of slight overnight frosts.

"Some changes may occur later next week. Low pressure could return near Greenland, with frontal systems approaching from the west and north-west, along with slightly wetter and windier conditions across Northern Ireland and Scotland in particular. In view of this trend temperatures are more likely to rise a little.

"However, some long-term weather models depict cooler or colder conditions to occur or return later in the week, consistent with a recurring high-pressure signal in the far north-west of Europe allowing air masses of Arctic origin to move south across parts of the UK."

The Met Office forecast for April 9 to April 18 states: "High pressure expected to prevail early in this period maintaining largely settled conditions. This should result in largely dry weather with plenty of sunshine for most. Daytime temperatures will depend on the wind direction and cloud amounts, but most places will be warm for most of the period, and very warm days most likely will be further inland. Coasts with an onshore flow tending to be cooler.

"Overnight frosts are possible on clear nights where winds fall light. There is also the chance of some areas of low cloud or fog, notably around the east coast. Towards the middle of April, the weather is likely to turn more unsettled for a time with a greater chance of showers or longer spells of rain for all regions."