Pack away the shorts... chilly Hannah’s here

ONLY a week ago, Britain was basking in glorious Easter weather – enjoying sunshine and record temperatures.

But forecasters say today could ‘feel like January’, with the arrival of the eighth named storm of the season – the fourth of 2019.

Storm Hannah blew in last night, bringing gusts of up to 70mph in South Wales and across southern England.

Despite May being just days away, there is even a chance snow could fall on Welsh mountains and in the Pennines.

The wet and windy weather is due to last until 3pm today and the Met Office is warning of disruption to road, rail and air travel, power cuts, fallen trees and spray or large waves affecting coastal areas.

In northern and eastern England, rain is also expected although it is likely to be more patchy and showery, while temperatures in Manchester and Leeds could struggle to reach 11C (52F).

Thankfully, tomorrow – when tens of thousands of runners take part in the London Marathon – is set to be drier and brighter although some showers are still possible. More rain is forecast for Monday.

Alex Deakin, from the Met Office, said: ‘It’s going to be a much colder feel, and that’s temperatures on the thermometer – when you add on the strength of the wind, it’s going to feel more like January at times, especially compared to last weekend when it felt like summer.’

Meteogroup’s Paul Knightley warned of strong winds around coastal areas today, adding: ‘It is not the sort of day you want to be having a marquee or a bouncy castle up.’