Spring starts on Wednesday ... will someone tell the snow!

SPRING may officially begin on Wednesday, but there is no sign of any warmer weather just yet.

Britain is set for a cold snap as conditions turn chillier this week, with a risk of snow and stormy winds.

today the mercury could plunge to as low as -4C (25F) in some parts of the country.

And forecasters warned of wind, hail, sleet and thunder across Britain with ice ‘almost anywhere’.

Meanwhile, just days after storm Doris wreaked havoc across the UK, storm ewan was roaring through ireland, with wind speeds of up to 70mph.

Forecasters say it is sweeping across the irish sea on course to hit Wales and scotland, but that by the time it reaches Britain it will have lost much of its severity.

the Met Office has therefore issued yellow wind warnings instead of the amber criteria required for a named storm.

As well as warnings in scotland, northern ireland and Wales, there are also wind warnings in place for the north west of england, where gusts could reach speeds of 50 to 60mph.

Met Office forecaster Marco petagna said: ‘On Monday and tuesday there is an ongoing risk of sleet and showers in high areas of england and Wales.

‘the wet and windy weather we’ve been having will give way to much colder and more showery [conditions], with hail.

‘early in the week, especially on tuesday, there is a risk of ice almost anywhere.

‘And temperatures could well reach several degrees below freez- ing, especially in the north.’ the Met Office also warned there was the possibility of ‘a more prolonged cold spell, with an increased chance of snow’ later next month.

But despite the north suffering chilly temperatures, Gareth Harvey, who is a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said the weather was largely normal: ‘in general, you’re more likely to see snow over easter than Christmas’.

But while we shiver away in a cold snap, strawberries may provide an unexpected comfort.

Mild weather earlier in the winter has meant that British-grown strawberries are arriving early.

punnets are hitting supermarket shelves this week, more than two months before the start of the traditional season.

the berry season officially starts on May 1 and lasts until the end of september, according to the British summer Fruits growers’ association.

But technological improvements and mild temperatures mean that producers across the UK will be supplying strawberries from the end of February.

M&s and tesco will both have British-grown fruit in selected stores this week, with availability increasing through the spring.