A giant Arctic air mass is due to make it's way over London and push down temperatures over the weekend.

The Met Office predict unsettling weather, with showers becoming longer spells of heavy rain and gusty winds blasting the city.

An active frontal system will cross Northern Ireland from the west to bring the band of heavy rain and forecasters warn it is only set to get colder.

Meteorologists said: "There is a risk of some sleet and snow in the south, although many areas here are likely to be dry with some sunshine for much of the time."

Temperatures in London are set to plummet this weekend

Met Office spokeswoman Lindsay Mears said: "After the warm, wet weather we've been having lately, this is a return to proper winter weather."

But Ms Mears warned the cold weather would not last very long.

She said: "This is only a cold snap, the mild weather will probably be back by the end of next week and the beginning of the week after."

The outlook for Saturday to Monday in London has been described as windy at times and even colder on Monday as winds turn more northerly.