UK weather forecast – Arctic blast saw temperatures drop to -4C overnight before warmer weather returns for the weekend

TEMPERATURES dropped to -4C in parts of the UK overnight, as a blast of cold Arctic air meant it was a chilly start for many.

But warmer weather has been forecast to return by the end of the week, with highs of 22C predicted in some places over the weekend with the rest of May set to be a scorcher.

Gritters were even sent out onto the roads last night in parts of Scotland to prepare for the baltic conditions as the out-of-season cold snap hit.

For most of us today it was a chilly start, but once the cloud dropped in the south, Brits have begun a day of sunny spells with the odd shower.

In eastern England, coastal areas and eastern Scotland, there will be scattered showers.

Craig Snell from the Met Office told the Sun Online: "Despite the sunshine, there may be a slight breeze, temperatures struggling at just 14 degrees in the south, in the north 10 or 11. But having said that, it's May, so the sun is strong, so if you're in the sunshine it should feel pleasant."

"It's going to gradually get warmer, for many southern areas there will be very little rain for the next four or five days - a continuation of what we've been having.

"By the weekend, we could see 21 or 22 degrees in the south - back up to the average temperature for this time of year. In the north, we might see a greater risk of rain, a little more changeable in the northern half of the UK."

This comes after news from meteorologists that May is set to be a scorcher with highs of 26 degrees across the second bank holiday.

According to the latest weather charts, temperatures will then soar past 25C during the second bank holiday weekend in May.

Latest images by WXCharts reveal an area of high pressure moving in from Europe across the UK by Friday May 22.

Highs of 24.7C recorded in London during the VE Day bank holiday weekend, but the rest of this month is set to top that temperature.

This comes as the government announced that people will be allowed to sunbathe, sit on benches and exercise as much as they want in England — as long as they continue to stay two metres apart from people outside of their household.

From today people will be allowed to meet up with a friend or family member in the park for the first time in seven weeks — but again they must stay two metres apart.

Reading in the park will also be allowed, with inner-city households given the ability to enjoy outdoor space for more than hour a day for the first time in weeks.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has already ordered all parks to keep their gates open after several councils deployed an over-zealous approach.

The guidance will see an end to council patrols rebuking people for catching rays or sitting on benches.

Some had even taped-up seats.

In Wales the Government has said people can exercise more than once a day but not that sunbathe, sit on park benches and exercise as much as they want.