Rain, wind and even snow... happy Easter!
BRITAIN has been warned to expect rain, wind and even snow this Easter weekend.
Weathermen have predicted chilly temperatures across the country, with some areas of high ground possibly seeing snow.
Even those regions that escape the freeze will see their mini-holiday break interrupted by rain and stiff winds.
The forecast came as nearly seven million people were enjoying a weekend getaway.
Most of the Bank Holiday traffic jams had cleared by yesterday as many travellers had already set off on Thursday.
Avoiding the rush they headed for beaches and other holiday destinations, for steam train rides, farm attractions and fun fairs.
Freezing
Highways England reported “long delays” on the M4 after both carriageways were closed because of a tanker fire.
The lorry burst into flames on the eastbound carriageway between Bath and Chippenham and drivers were warned to avoid the area.
Train services to major cities including London, Manchester and Glasgow were interrupted as Network Rail carried out engineering work at around 200 locations.
Emma Sillitoe, a forecaster at the Met Office, said snow was expected in Scotland’s Grampian Mountains as temperatures approached freezing on higher ground.
Ladbrokes cut odds from 5/1 to 2/1 on bets that snowflakes would fall anywhere in the UK during the Easter weekend. Chris Page, speaking for the bookmakers, said: “At this time of year a lot of our weather is influenced by wind direction.
“Last weekend we had a lot of wind from the south which was warm and coming from France. We had a temperature of 77F (25C) in Cambridge on April 9, the hottest day of the year so far. This weekend is a different kettle of fish with winds coming in from the north and it is a lot cooler.”
Top temperatures of 57F can be expected in the South on Saturday, while the North and Scotland may see temperatures as low as 37F at night.
It is also set to be a chilly start to Saturday in the Midlands although most places will feel an Easter breeze and a spot of sunshine.
But forecasters had some good news for after Easter, with sunshine expected to break through rainy showers.