- Stunning pictures show a glorious sunrise over Bristol yesterday
- Britons have been enjoying warm temperatures of around 10C
- But weather is set to change this weekend as temperatures drop
By Becky Evans
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As the old saying goes, a red sky in the morning comes with a warning - and this one certainly does.
The beautiful sunrise over Bristol came as forecasters predicted temperatures could plunge to -15C in some parts of the country next week.
The morning yesterday began in spectacular fashion with red, orange and yellow hues cast over the landscape.
A stunning winters red sky can be seen as the sun rises over Bristol
The winter trees were silhouetted against the colourful sky as the sun rose in triumphant style.
The UK has been enjoying unseasonably mild - if wet - weather since the New Year but the Met Office said temperatures in 2013 are due drop significantly.
Forecasters said warm temperatures that have reached 10C will plummet and be replaced by freezing cold, sleet and even snow.
The cold snap could last until early February with the north of the country bearing the brunt.
The sun peeks over the Bristol countryside
Houses are cast in silhouette as the sun continues to rise
Helen Chivers, of the Met Office, said: 'We will notice the temperature dropping over the next few days and there is a chance of snow on the high ground in the north of the country on Thursday.
'From next week temperatures will be around 5C and there will be a chance of frost at night, when temperatures could fall to -5C in the countryside.'
The Met Office also said that winter showers are likely next week and winds coming in from the North East may cause snow flurries as well.
The gorgeous sunrise brought some much needed colour
Allotments are highlighted as the winter sun rises
The beginning of January's milder weather meant blossom has started to bloom two months early.
Warm winds from the south and extensive cloud cover have meant that the UK has been experiencing above average temperatures for this time of year.
A Met office spokesman said: 'We have been seeing a lot of double figures recently.
'Average temperatures for this time of year are close to freezing at night but they have been holding up at 6 to 8C.'
The mild spell saw unseasonably high temperatures over the holiday period, with 14.3C (57F) in Wester Ross, Scotland, last Wednesday and 12.8C (55F) in Usk, Monmouthshire on Thursday.
Blooming lovely: Lucy Moir, 22, picks snowdrops which have flowered early at Painswick Rococo Garden in Painswick, Gloucestershire
Jumping for joy: Visitors to Cambridge have been delighted by the pink blossom on trees in the historic city
The warm weather has meant an array of snowdrops has carpeted one garden in Painswick, Gloucestershire.
Paul Hervey-Brookes, garden adviser at Rococo, said: 'They usually start to bloom around the second week of January and the last to flower finish by the end of March.
'But because it has been mild this year so far, they have been tricked into thinking it is later in January than it is, and they have started to come out.'
Visitors to Cambridge have marvelled at trees lit up with pink flowers in the historic city.
Chill: A snow plough clears the road of snow near Nenthead, Cumbria last week. More scenes like this are expected as a mild early January gives way to harsh winter weather
Blossom usually appears in March and is a sign that spring is on its way, but visitors to Cambridge were able to enjoy the beautiful spectacle in the first week of January.
Rachel Clarke, 37, from Cambridge, said: 'It's lovely to see the blossom after weeks of wind and rain. Hopefully it's a sign that the weather will be better this year.'
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: 'Temperatures will trend colder, with frost more widespread, and it is most likely to remain cold into next week with wintry showers, especially in central and eastern parts, with overnight frosts but also a good deal of fine and dry weather.
'Later next week is most likely to remain colder than average, and from January 21 to February 4, there is an increasing probability of a trend to colder conditions relative to what we have seen so far this winter.
'This brings the risk of spells of colder-than-average conditions and wintry weather, especially across northern and eastern areas.'
DM, remember the story about the little boy who cried wolf and then no one believed him when there really was one? This is the 3rd story of gloom and doom weather in the last 3 months. I guess eventually the idiot who hypes this will get it right, but who will believe you?
- Matey , Northampton, 09/1/2013 06:50
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