Britain is springing back to winter after the sunniest March in nearly a century.
The start of April feels more like January and wintry conditions, swept in by icy north Atlantic air, are set to continue this week.
Long-range forecasters predict more freezing weather will strike mid-month, raising the chance of the UK’s first white Easter in five years.
Today, bookmakers slashed the odds on this being the coldest April on record. But while many of us have shivered indoors, working out if we can afford to put on the heating again, others have made the most the bracing conditions outside.
Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at Lecht Ski Centre in the Scottish Highlands as hardy jet skiers and sea swimmers braved the waves in the North East.
And dog walkers wrapped up warm to take their pets for a stroll in Richmond Park, West London.
Coral spokesman John Hill said: “The prospect of snowfall during the Easter weekend is now strong.” Last month, temperatures hit 20C in some areas. It was the the sunniest March in the UK since 1929.
Since then, temperatures have fallen. Tomorrow should be nearer the April average but a second Arctic blast, and possible snow, is expected later this week.
Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: “It’s not that unusual to see snow around Easter time. It’s more of a shock because of the unusually high temperatures we were enjoying.”
