Springtime snow forecast for Easter - but will it be as bad as 2013?

The clocks may have signalled the beginning of British Summer Time but a bleak Easter weekend is forecast – with snow on the way for some.

Snow joke – these white drifts appeared off Pottal Pool Road on Cannock Chase in the inclement weather of March, 2013

It was only at the end of March 2013, when Easter fell on the same weekend, that we last saw a white blanket cover the area. And 2013 was the second coldest March in 100 years, records showed.

The mean temperature was 2.2°C (36°F) – more than 3°C colder than the long-term monthly average.

It equalled the average temperature in March 1947, with only March 1962 colder at 1.9°C (35°F).

Eros looks a little chilly in the snow on Coronation Gardens, Dudley

In the Black Country and Staffordshire temperatures plunged to as low as minus 12.5°C (9°F), and the snow caused Easter events across the county to be cancelled.

And if the forecast is right, the Black Country and Staffordshire could face a similarly snowy scene this Easter.

A yellow warning for the white stuff has been issued by the Met Office for Monday.

This says there is a ‘possibility of heavy snow’ which could affect travel – with a chance some rural communities could become cut off.

Forecasters said: “There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

“And there is also a small chance power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.”

A usually bustling Brownhills High Street, is seen completely deserted due to the bad weather in 2013

A lone jogger makes his way along the A452 near Brownhills

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “The Easter period will bring a variety of spring weather from sunshine and showers to more prolonged cloudy and wet conditions, along with some snow.”

Back in 2013, Dudley Market traders were unhappy about the amount of snow around the market stalls which they said was forcing some traders to go home. Many high streets as well as side roads were left covered by the snow showers.

There were postcard pictures at beauty spots across the area such as Cannock Chase, Wolverhampton’s West Park and the south Staffordshire countryside.

A bird and squirrel pictured in Brunswick Park, Wednesbury

High snow drifts loomed over many roads including those alongside Pottal Pool Road on the Chase.

From late March to early April in 2013 the country suffered a prolonged spell of freezing temperatures with winds bringing in bitterly cold air from northern Europe and Siberia – just as the UK has experienced so far this year with the ‘Beast from the East’.

Up to 20cm of snow fell, especially on higher ground, and there was significant drifting caused by the strong easterly wind. The snow remained on the ground until early April.

Thousands of homes in Scotland and Northern Ireland were left without power and there was concern for livestock with countless sheep and cattle thought to be buried in the snow.

White Eastertides have also been recorded in 1998 and 2008.

Ahead of this weekend, meteorologist Martin Bowles warned: “We will get colder weather from Wednesday onwards, continuing over the Easter weekend.

"In terms of snow, we expect there will be some in parts of the UK, but it will be mainly in the high ground of Scotland and northern England.”

There is a chance of some snow showers on higher ground in this area but it is unlikely to stick.