White Easter warning

Snow set to bring chaos to the roads ... as shops launch sales

a RECORD 19million drivers are being warned to brace for Easter getaway misery as routes face paralysis... by snow.

Instead of spring sunshine, wintry weather will bring powerful winds, rain and overnight frosts from today until Sunday.

The worst of the weather will strike on Monday as many families head home – with snow predicted across large parts of the country. The Met Office last night said up to an inch could fall at low levels and four inches on higher ground.

Forecasters warned of potential disruption to road, rail and air travel, along with the risk of stranded vehicles and interruptions to power supplies and mobile phone networks.

a £118million rail upgrade will also hit several routes including the West Coast Main Line and closures affecting Euston and Liverpool Street in London. However, Highways England has lifted more than 300 miles of roadworks to help traffic move more smoothly.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning covering Wales and England north of the Home Counties as a cyclonic system sweeps in from the atlantic.

Temperatures could fall to -2C (28F) at night. as Britain gears up for the long weekend, the RaC said 19million cars will hit the roads – a million more than last year.

Spokesman Rod Dennis warned drivers to check the weather before they set out, adding: ‘The Beast from the East might have departed but much more unsettled conditions look set to make a very unwelcome return.’ The cold weather is due to continue until mid-week. The Met Office said chilly conditions could even remain until the middle of april – with snow in the North.

Shops are slashing prices by up to 70 per cent as Good Friday becomes the new Black Friday.

a record Easter shopping weekend is predicted to see sales rise by 3 per cent on last year, say analysts at KPMG.

after a period of low sales, retailers are now trying to tempt customers with even bigger discounts than Black Friday, the US tradition that has taken hold in the UK. argos, Currys, Debenhams and TopShop are all offering ‘Easter sales’.