Parts of North Wales have already seen snow and heavy hail storms as the area braces for “unseasonably cold” conditions brought on by "cold Arctic air".

The Met Office has warned the UK is set for “unseasonably cold” conditions over the coming days, with frost and single figure temperatures forecast.

Blustery showers, with a small risk of thunder and hail, were predicted for Wednesday (September 11), particularly in the north, according to the forecaster.

Some snow and sleet was also expected, by mainly in the Scottish mountains.

Temperatures are expected to tumble to as low as 4C or 5C overnight on Wednesday and Thursday (September 11 and 12) in some parts of the UK.

Met Office spokesman Johnathan Vautrey said temperatures for most of the week will be 4-6C below average, but will feel even colder and “more like single figures” for a lot of places due to strong winds.

“We could see some patchy frost developing in rural areas across all nations of the UK, particularly Scotland,” Mr Vautrey said.

“For people waking up on Friday morning it could be quite a shock to the system as they’re walking out of the door."

These colder conditions are a result of cold Arctic air, according to The Met Office.

The cold spell is not expected to last too long and temperatures will start to climb back up towards average by the weekend.

Snow spotted on Yr Wyddfa summit

The colder conditions from the Arctic air seem to have hit North Wales already, with snow and heavy hail storms recorded on the Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) summit on Wednesday (September 11).

The Snowdon Mountain Railway posted photos on X (formerly Twitter) showing a "sprinkle of snow" on the summit and managers clearing the platform after a "heavy hail storm".

North Wales forecast amid cold Artic air forecast

Wednesday (September 11)

The Met Office forecast said residents across Wales should expect a "rather chilly night" on Wednesday.

"Remaining unsettled this evening with a risk of showers across the country, these heaviest and most frequent in the north," the forecast reads.

"Showers becoming more isolated later, with clear spells developing widely resulting in a rather chilly night.

"Breezy along the coasts. Minimum temperature 5 °C."

Thursday (September 12)

Thursday will bring with it mixed weather conditions.

The Met Office said: "A mix of sunshine and showers, heavy in places, but becoming more isolated later.

"Winds a little lighter than on Wednesday but still breezy and feeling cool. Maximum temperature 14 °C."

Friday to Sunday (September 13 to 15)

While it will be a "frosty" start to Friday before a mixture of sunny spells and showers into the weekend.

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"A cold and locally frosty start on Friday, then dry with sunny spells," The Met Office forecast for Wales reads.

"Turning breezier on Saturday with showery rain possible overnight.

"Cloudy with showers on Sunday. Turning somewhat warmer."