Weather maps show that a wall of snow is about to hit Britain. In the far north of Scotland, sub-zero temperatures will drop to -10C as the country exits winter and enters spring.
Meanwhile, temperatures in the south will be slightly higher at around -1C, marking a cold end to the month just as the clocks go back on March 26.
Fast-forward to early April and temperatures will remain low with a chance of snow.
According to WXCharts, the north east and north west of Scotland could be hit by several inches of snow, while the south could still be a few inches lower.
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Nick Finnis writes on Net Weather that the UK is expecting a mild spell of weather followed by a cold end to the month.
Mr Finnis wrote: “Unlike recently, the next 10 days looks to be mostly mild, with temperatures above average. Low pressure seems to dominate during this period, the lows and associated frontal systems will occasionally move into the Atlantic Ocean, with showers to the east or northeast interspersed with clearer but showery weather.
“Cold polar air will never be too far north of northern Scotland, with the possibility of this cold air spreading across at least the north of Scotland, but perhaps further south in the wake of low pressure systems managing to to move east. of the UK.
“If this cold air moves south, it means areas of rain coming in from the Atlantic will turn to snow over Scotland’s higher elevations, with a risk of frost and ice if the sky is clear.”
However, Mr Finnis wrote that outside the far north “looks mild and generally frost free for the next 10 days, not overly mild”.
At the end of the month he said the UK “could see colder arctic air returning from the north in the last 5 days of the month, perhaps cold enough to bring some wintry precipitation to the north, with a return of frosts on major scale , although all snow is usually confined to higher elevations in the north.”
As a result, the forecast is for a short mild period of weather in the UK, before March ends and April begins with an intense cold spell.
This cold spot will carry snow and ice to higher elevations, potentially making conditions dangerous and making driving more difficult.
A Met Office report from late March said the UK would experience a “rapid change” in weather conditions.
They said the UK would experience “cyclonic conditions” that are expected to dominate.
Their report for the end of the month states: “The first clouds and rain will clear to the northeast on Tuesday, likely to be followed by sunny spells interspersed with showers, which can be heavy at times, especially in the north. Further clouds and rain may later expand from the west. Strong winds are possible locally, with a low risk of coastal storms.
“The remainder of the period is likely to be characterized by continued unstable weather, with cyclonic conditions expected to dominate initially, with heavy rain and showers at times.”
They added: “The west sees the most precipitation and the east remains relatively drier. Occasionally windy, with a continued risk of coastal gales.
“Winter showers can sometimes return later in the north, but precipitation is generally less here than in the south. Temperatures are generally normal to mild, but short, very cold spells are likely.”
The predicted cooler temperatures come after a February that the Met Office described as “mildier and drier on average”.
They said: “It was unsettled at first, and again for a while from the middle of the month, but the month was notable for its drought. This was provisionally the driest February in the UK since 1993.”