Now it’s out with Mild March . . . and in with Arctic April
A WEEK is a long time when it comes to the British weather. Mild March has given way to Arctic April after a freeze descended on the country last night.
Many parts of Britain were expected to wake to a coating of snow. Up to four inches was predicted in the high ground areas of the Pennines, Shropshire, Staffordshire and North Wales.
A light dusting of around half an inch was set to fall on the South West, affecting Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Cotswolds.
As the freeze rolled in yesterday, seven inches of snow fell in four hours in parts of Scotland.
Later 10,000 properties in the north-east of England lost power as gales and icy conditions brought cables down. Northern Power Grid said engineers were working to repair around 200 faults.
Overnight temperatures were expected to plummet to –2c (28f) in northern areas and to just above zero in most of the South, with isolated areas below freezing.
The transformation comes after one of the mildest Marches on record which saw temperatures peak at 23.6c (75f) in Aberdeenshire ten days ago.
However thankfully for those planning an Easter getaway, the freeze will soon be over, with temperatures rising from tomorrow.
Northern parts of the country could have heavy rain on Friday afternoon but should be clear by Saturday, and the South and East will stay dry and bright for most of the weekend. London and the South East should escape the snow with temperatures of 12c (54f) expected today.
Nine hill walkers, including six teenagers, were rescued from Cairngorms national park in Scotland yesterday after getting stuck in heavy snowfall.
Three adults and two children were taken to hospital after a road crash near Skiach in the Highlands in snowy conditions.
The cold snap could hit birds which started nesting early in the warm weather.
The British Trust for Ornithology asked householders to keep feeders filled.