You might be forgiven for thinking with the recent sunny weather we've been having that summer had already started, but don't unpack the garden cushions just yet because there's a sweep of cold conditions on the way, according to new weather maps. Britain has been basking in high temperatures for much of May, but just before meteorological summer starts on June 1, new forecast maps show a major change is on the way.

Maps generated by WXCharts on May 14 using Met Desk data show icy conditions, snow and plummeting temperatures set to arrive on Friday, May 23, just in time for the second bank holiday weekend of the month. According to the new maps, parts of the Highlands in Scotland could see snow showers and temperatures below zero. The snow, the maps suggest, would fall in the area for 24 hours. While these charts forecast snow and cold temperatures, the Met Office predict this period of the month to see "unsettled conditions" driven by the Atlantic.

The national weather forecaster said: "Most of the UK will be fine with sunny spells during the first half of this period. A few showers are possible in the southeast at first but otherwise the majority of places will be dry. Temperatures are likely to be above normal for the time of year.

"Into the bank holiday weekend and following week, a change in weather type is expected. More unsettled conditions are likely to develop, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic.

"This will bring spells of rain to many areas, perhaps heavy at times, with a risk of strong winds in places. Some drier and brighter intervals are likely between systems. Temperatures will probably be near normal or slightly above."

Using the meteorological season system summer starts on June 1. This system consists of splitting the seasons into four periods made up of three months each.

The Met Office explains: "These seasons are split to coincide with our Gregorian calendar, making it easier for meteorological observing and forecasting to compare seasonal and monthly statistics.

"The seasons are defined as spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), autumn (September, October, November) and winter (December, January, February)."

However, there is also the astronomical start date of summer, which determines the seasons "due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth's rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun. Both Equinoxes and Solstices are related to the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

"This year, astronomical summer began on 21 June 2022 and ended on 23 September 2022."

This Evening and Tonight:

Showers soon fading across Cornwall this evening, Then dry with long clear spells for most. Low cloud with some patchy mist developing near some North Seas coastal areas, and this spreading into parts of the Midlands. Cooler than recent nights.

Thursday:

Largely dry, warm and sunny. Any low cloud will lift and break but may linger around eastern coastal counties at times, where it will feel cooler with an onshore breeze.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Remaining settled and largely dry, warm and sunny. Low cloud will linger around some eastern coastal counties at times, where it will feel cooler with an onshore breeze.