Warm snap to come to sudden end as easterly winds return to Britain Dog walkers on the beach at Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on Tuesday, the hottest day of the year so far. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA The brief spell of warmer weather across most of the UK is set to finish almost as soon it has begun, with temperatures dropping from Wednesday night and bringing the chance of snow to many areas next week. Easterly winds are forcing back more benign fronts from the Atlantic and seem set to keep their grip on the country until the beginning of April. Colder than average temperatures are forecast for the rest of March with morning fog suppressing much of what little warmth manages to linger on in the short term. Consolation is possible for parts of England and Wales, which could enjoy highs of 14C (57F) on Wednesday. Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with peaks of 17.5C in Trawsgoed, Wales, 17.1C in Gravesend, Kent, and 17C in central London. Overall, the brief lull in the easterlies saw temperatures rise to 7C above the average for this time of the year. Brendan Jones, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: "Yesterday was significantly warmer than average. We won't see these temperatures again this week, but nevertheless it will stay pretty mild and above average until the weekend. From Sunday there will be a return of cold weather starting in Scotland and spreading to all areas by Monday. There could even be the chance of snow on Monday and Wednesday - all areas should be on alert for at least a little bit of snow. The Met Office reinforced the warning with its forecast up to 15 March, the Roman Ides, which saw the murder of Julius Caesar in 44BC. This predicts the weather will "turn colder in northern areas with an increasing risk of snow falling to lower-levels and much colder conditions look like developing nationwide with overnight frost returning, snow showers increasingly affecting northern and eastern regions and perhaps coastal areas further west." There may also be some more general rain, sleet or hill snow further south, with a risk of snow falling to lower-levels across central Britain at times. Such persistence by the dregs of winter is not unusual for March, according to historical records, which show that proper spring weather usually arrives in April.