New weather maps are showing an Arctic snow bomb heading to the UK in early April with a band of snow stretching 569 miles from the far north of Scotland to the Midlands.
Flakes could be falling all the way from Caithness in northern Scotland down to Worcestershire in the West Midlands on Friday April 5 around noon, with maps from WXCharts showing a large band of the white stuff covering the country.
Temperatures will reflect the snowy conditions with readings in some areas showing a teeth-chattering -5C for some days in April with the legacy of winter living on well into spring.
Gardeners tending bulbs and bedding plants might want to take note of the cold conditions which have in some places been forecast to reach as low as -10C in the coming days.
The Met Office have also issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain in Northern Ireland for later today and overnight until 6am on Wednesday.
Later this week the weather agency said the country could expect heavy showers in some places with temperatures “feeling chilly in the brisk winds” into the Easter weekend.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “The Easter weekend is likely to be unsettled with rain or showers in most regions at times, but also some drier and brighter spells.
“The heaviest and most frequent showers are more likely to be in southern and western areas. Later in the weekend, there is a chance of northern areas becoming drier with increasing amounts of sunshine.
“Compared to the coming week, the Easter weekend is likely to be a little warmer. Into the following week, continued unsettled or changeable weather remains the most likely outcome.
“All areas are likely to see further rain or showers at times, with some drier spells in between, but wet weather will tend to favour the south whilst northern parts remain a bit drier on average.”
Today:
Largely cloudy today with outbreaks of rain moving into the south this afternoon. A few brighter spells possible at times. Rain and hill snow in Scotland will gradually ease. Feeling chilly in the north.
Tonight:
Rain and hill snow will spread into northern areas tonight. Clear spells will develop in the south for a time, before further rain moves into the southwest.
Wednesday:
Spells of rain will move north and east on Wednesday with some brightness in between. Heavy, blustery showers will move into Wales and southwest England later in the afternoon.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Sunny spells and heavy scattered showers over the next few days. Windy on Thursday and Friday, but winds easing into the weekend. Feeling chilly in the brisk winds.
