THE MET OFFICE has warned plunging temperatures could trigger “snow showers”, which are set to hit the Essex coast next week.

Wintry showers are predicted to reach the north and midlands towards the end of this week. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for East Midlands, East of England, North East England, North West England, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Temperatures in south Essex are set to drop to by at least five degrees Celsius towards the end of this week, to as low as 7 degrees in parts.

The region has seen a few flurries of snow so far this year, as temperatures have varied throughout the winter.

Now, forecasters are warning sleet or even snowfall could hit the East of England, especially the coast, from this weekend.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Cold air already established across the north is likely to extend to the whole country this weekend. As it does so, there is a risk of further sleet or snowfall for some parts, but this should be more limited in extent than earlier in the week.

“It will become generally cold but bright throughout, with snow showers tending to focus on coasts, especially in the east.

“Elsewhere, there will be a decent amount of dry weather, but with some hard overnight frosts and a risk of ice. It will be windy at times, especially in the east at first, with a notable wind-chill.

“Temperatures will range from rather mild in the south and south east at first, to perhaps very cold in the north.”