Temperatures in the mid-teens will bring a mild end to a week that saw parts of the UK blanketed in snow, forecasters said.

The mercury is forecast to rise to 15C by Friday – some six degrees above average for the time of year, the Met Office said.

The warmer weather is in stark contrast to the snowy conditions seen across Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

Snow depths of 15cm were recorded at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland and motorists were stranded on the M74 for hours overnight into Tuesday as wintry conditions hit some areas of the country.

An official snow reading of 2cm was made at Lough Fea in Northern Ireland, and snow also fell in parts of Wales and England, mostly on higher ground.

The polar maritime air mass which brought freezing conditions across the UK will be replaced by a tropical air mass, leading to higher temperatures.

Forecaster Alex Burkill said: “The weather is going to be markedly milder than it has been of late.

“Everywhere will see a jump in temperature.”

Wednesday and Thursday will see rainy spells, particularly in north-western areas.