It was a white easter for most of Greater Manchester today as the anticipated cold snap saw many areas wake up to snow.
Contrary to many forecasts, an arctic blast which has brought blizzard-like conditions to parts of northern Scotland,did travel as far south as our region.
And despite a week of warm sunshine and seasonably warm temperatures, those on higher ground saw a considerable dusting of the white stuff as temperatures plummeted to zero, and even below in some parts, overnight.
Our photographer Sean Hansford captured fields carpeted with snow in the hills of Oldham early this morning.
In a park in Heyside, spring flowers such as Daffodills could be seen still blooming despite gripped by frost.
Whilst one stunning picture from Nick Harrison showed Worsley Green in Salford, with a tree in the middle, completely covered in snow in a scene more reminiscent of Christmas than Easter.
However, even the city centre, which often misses out when snowfall hits our region, saw a sprinkling of snow.
The snow was quickly replaced by bright sunshine in many areas which quickly saw it melt in what is known as a 'rapid thaw.'
However professional and amateur photographers alike keen to capture the rare springtime phenomenon.
Gareth Worthington captured snow-covered roofs across Ancoats and more central parts of the city, including close to the town hall.
Readers also sent us pictures of snow settling right across the region, from Tottington in Bury in the north of Greater Manchester, to Fallowfield in the south.
Snowfall was also reported in Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford, Bolton and Salford.
In many more urban areas it didn't hang around long enough for any snow related such as sledging and making snowmen.
In Oldham, someone did take the opportunity to draw a huge smiley face into the snow.
And remnants of can still be seen in more rural parts of the region, with the spring sunshine which followed making for some idyllic scenes.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is currently in force for parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
And although conditions have become much more spring-like as the morning has drawn in, the Met Office is warning there is the possibility of some further wintery showers across the North West of England.
