Wrap up warm for outdoor Easter with snow showers on the way
The rest of the weekend will be a sharp contrast to the summer-like weather seen earlier this week, forecasters say.
The cold snap is set to continue over the weekend, hitting many people’s hopes for an al-fresco Easter lunch.
Heavy snow warnings are in place for parts of northern Scotland, but forecasters have said nowhere in the country will be “immune” from snowfall by Monday as temperatures continue to drop.
Despite the chilly weather, the public have been urged to respect the rules and only meet friends and family outdoors now that restrictions have started to ease.
More than half of British households – 51% – had planned to swap a traditional Easter roast for a barbeque or picnic this year, a survey by Sainsbury’s found.
Plans are likely to have to change in Fife, Strathclyde and the Highlands, which are due to see gale-force winds and snow showers as the country enters an “Arctic trough”.
By Easter Monday morning, there could be as much as 15cm of snow in higher areas.
The Met Office’s yellow warnings are in place from 6pm on Sunday until midnight on Monday.
Craig Snell, forecaster for the Met Office, said: “After a taste of summer for a lot of the UK, we will see things turn much colder as we go through the second half of the Easter weekend.
“A lot of the UK will be prone to seeing some wintry showers as we go through the course of Monday but northern Scotland is where we’ll see the heaviest and most frequent snow.
“That’s where there’s most concern that we might see some disruption.”
Mr Snell said although it was not unusual to see snow at this time of year, it would be a “shock to the system” for many, following balmy temperatures felt earlier in the week.
Parts of the UK saw the mercury reach nearly 24C (75.2F) on Wednesday.
On Saturday, temperatures in the South East and London are expected to be about 12C (53.6F) and, further north – Manchester and Leeds – could see highs of 13C (55.4F) and 10C (50F) respectively.
By Monday, London may drop to 8C (46.4F), Manchester 7C (44.6F) and Leeds a chilly 5C (41F).
“Nowhere is going to be immune from potentially seeing some snow showers on Monday, even down towards the south west of England,” said Mr Snell.
But he said it was unlikely that the snow would settle.
Despite the disappointing weather, Britons still made the most of the Good Friday holiday – flocking to parks and beaches.
The Metropolitan Police issued a warning before the long weekend, telling people not to gather in large groups ahead of a number of planned protests.
A Kill the Bill rally against the Government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was staged in Finsbury Park on Friday afternoon, with similar events taking place elsewhere.
The Met is expecting more protests in the capital over the weekend, which are now lawful providing organisers submit a risk assessment and take steps to ensure the gathering is safe.
The force said: “Enforcement action will be taken, if needed, in the interests of public health.”
