Now comes the Beast from the East, Part 3
MAKE the most of the mild weather for winter is about to take one last shot as Britain wraps up for the possibility of a White Easter.
Parts of the country are on alert for snow next weekend as another Arctic blast sends temperatures plunging.
Bookmakers have once again cut the odds on Easter snow as the nation prepares to hunker down for what has been dubbed the Beast from the East, Part 3.
Ladbrokes is offering evens from 10-1 on snowfall anywhere in the country with Glasgow the favourite at 2-1.
Spokesman Alex Apati said: “It looks as though we’ll see some snow this Easter. question now is where.”
While not expected to be as severe as the early March cold snap, several inches of snow could settle over high ground.
Britons should make the most of warmer temperatures this weekend with the cold weather threatening to arrive from the middle of next week.
Swathes of the country are on alert for harsh frosts, sub-zero overnight temperatures and wintry flurries.
The big chill will be driven by bitter winds from the North Pole flooding into northern Europe and on to Britain. The The Met Office said a vigorous low-pressure system will arrive after the weekend bringing gales and more than an inch of rain to parts of Britain.
Stormy conditions will sweep the country on Monday and Tuesday before cold winds arrive from the east towards the middle of the week.
Met Office forecaster Jeff Knight said: “Long-range forecasts show a greater-than-usual chance of cold spells over Easter and into April.
“If the cold does return, snow is unlikely to be as disruptive as recently in southern Britain.”
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said thermometers could plunge to -10C (14F) in places. He said: “Easter weekend is shaping up to be a cold and at times wintry one. We are also likely to see further snowfall.
“While the heaviest showers are expected over high ground in the North, they could turn more widespread through the weekend and into next week.
“There will be a risk of travel disruption. Temperatures may dip to -10C or even below.”
Temperatures will hit double figures across southern Britain this weekend.
It will widely drop below freezing overnight by the end of next week with similar cold weather threatening to hold out into April.