Britain might be sweltering under scorching temperatures this week but new weather maps reveal a cold weather snap could be on the way in a matter of days. Data from WXCharts and Netweather.tv, shows the mercury could plummet below freezing on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5).

The new maps frfom Netweather show parts of the UK could see temperatures plunge to as low as -2C at around 6am, with the coldest areas in the Scottish Highlands and northern England. London and southern England won't escape feeling chilly, although the cooler night time conditions could come as a welcome relief for many struggling to sleep during the recent hot weather. The colder weather might make a fresh start for many who may be organising street parties to mark the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day, which is on Thursday May 8.

In London on May 5 the VE Day procession will start from Parliament Square on Moday at 12.10pm and travel along Whitehall and The Mall, and finish at the Queen Victoria Memorial. There will be a flypast by the Armed Forces over The Mall and Buckingham Palace at 1.45pm.

The procession will be an impressive display of pageantry by Regiments of the Household Division and Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, showcasing ceremonial traditions of the British Armed Forces.

Looking ahead to the weather for the big day, the Met Office said cooler conditions will give way to more warmth for the rest of the week.

The Met Office forecast for Saturday until Monday says: "Scattered showers in the south at times, and a few further north, though a lot of dry weather for many with some sunshine.

"Temperatures dropping, becoming rather cool in places."

Looking ahead, the Met Office forecast for May 6-15 says the star of this period will be dry with sunny spells, "with cool and breezy conditions soon giving way to less windy and slightly warmer weather which will develop through the working week".

It adds: "Dry conditions will dominate the weather across the UK, but showers or spells of light rain may also occur at times. These are most likely to affect areas around the north and east of the UK.

"Winds will mostly be light, but could become breezy again at times across the far north.

"Temperatures will generally be near normal at first, with an overall warming trend by the end of the week. Temperatures will likely be above or around normal through the following week."