Gales warning in North while South has a cool Easter

GALES and rain threaten an Easter washout for many this weekend, though some areas will stay mild and sunny.

A nationwide split will bring the best of the weather to the South while the North turns colder and more unsettled.

Winds will pick up tomorrow as low pressure sweeps in from the Atlantic, forecasters have warned.

Northern regions face chilly gales, heavy rain and even snow over high ground as temperatures nose-dive in the coming days.

The South will see highs of 64.4F (18C) while the North struggles to get much above 55F.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “It is definitely going to be colder than recently, particularly in the North where it will also be more unsettled.

“Most places will see bright spells to start the weekend and in the mid-April sunshine it could feel pleasant.

“However, it will turn increasingly wet and windy in the North from Friday, with a risk of gales.

“Saturday will be bright with scattered showers and these will be frequent and at times heavy, again especially in the North.

“Over the weekend everyone will see some rain and some brighter spells. The best of the weather will be in the South and although temperatures are around average for the time of year, it will feel considerably cooler compared with last week.

“However, it washout.”

The late Easter had raised hopes of better weather after the mercury rocketed last week.

At least Britain does not face a repeat of last year, when Storm Katie unleashed 106mph gales across the South over Easter.

But the pessimistic forecast has led bookmakers to set odds on for an Easter chiller, with punters even hedging their bets on snow.

Ladbrokes is offering 5-6 that the mercury fails to rise above 59F at any point over the Bank Holiday, with 1-2 on snow.

Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Donohue said: “The great British weather is for ever keeping us on our toes and the betting suggests the sun cream can be put away for the Easter weekend.

“At this stage, we’re even calling Bank Holiday snowfall for the North and Scotland.” is not a complete