Powys could be set for its first snow of a mild winter this weekend as forecasters predict a cold front blasting into the UK from the North.

As a Westerly weather front passes over the country, relatively mild but wet and windy conditions this week are set to give way to cooler temperatures by the weekend as the wind changes, bringing freezing temperatures from the North and the chance of snow on higher ground into the weekend.

Forecasters say the cold weather is likely to continue through next week, remaining unsettled and at times windy with fronts spreading southeast across the UK bringing rain, sleet and snow.

Similar cold conditions are likely to remain in place until the end of the period, interspersed with brighter showery spells, although these could also be wintry. Overnight frosts will remain likely.

Dan Suri, the Met Office’s chief meteorologist, said: "From Thursday colder Arctic air will have spread across the country, with temperatures struggling to reach above 5C [41F] or 6C for most of us. This is close to the average January temperature for the UK, but since it has been quite a mild winter so far, many will notice the difference by the end of the week.

"It’s going to feel very cold overnight with temperatures widely dipping close to or below freezing."

Forecasters at the Met Office say the country could be in for a continued spell of cold weather due to a so-called 'sudden stratospheric warming' event, in which winds between 10 km and 50 km above the earth change direction and filter Arctic conditions through the lower part of the atmosphere.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Martin Young said: "The latest forecast suggests the highest risk of any severe wintry weather is from late January and into February. Whether cold spells will be brought about by Arctic air arriving from the north or easterly flows arriving from the continent remains uncertain.

"From the middle of next week, and especially during the last week of January and into early February, there is an increased likelihood of cold weather becoming established across all of the UK. This would bring an enhanced risk of snow and widespread frost almost anywhere across the UK, but particularly across northern parts."