Britain hit with final blast of SNOW as mercury plunges to -4C today

Britain is hit with final blast of SNOW in the north as mercury plunges to -4C today ahead of chilly reopening of beer gardens and high streets tomorrow – before ‘mini heatwave’ sweeps in next week

  • UK hit was last blast of wintry weather as Met Office issue snow and ice warnings in Manchester and Yorkshire
  • Southern England will see sunny spells although temperatures in London barely reaching double figures 
  • Conditions will remain cold with some sunshine into tomorrow as pubs and shops are allowed to reopen
  • Temperatures are then set to soar back up to 16C by Thursday into a mini-heatwave as Britons venture back out onto high streets 

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Britain is being hit with a last blast of wintry weather today – but the skies will clear in time for Britons to enjoy a pint outside when pubs and restaurants reopen tomorrow.

The Met Office had snow and ice warnings in place for parts of Manchester and Yorkshire this morning, with police forced to close one dual carriageway due to the harsh conditions. 

Lancashire Road Police urged people to avoid the A56 after it was partially closed ‘due to heavy snow and numerous stranded vehicles’ on the carriageway.

The cold spell, coming in from the North Sea, will loosen its grip tomorrow although temperatures are set to fall to 0C in London and a bone-chilling -4C in Edinburgh.

Monday will be ‘a cold day with bright weather for most’, with average UK temperatures of between 5C and 10C.

The chilly forecast could stall the reopening of Britain’s pub gardens with revellers set to shiver on benches as restrictions limit boozers to outdoor areas. 

Britain is being hit with a last blast of wintry weather today – but the skies will clear in time for Britons to enjoy a pint outside when pubs and restaurants reopen tomorrow. Pictured: Runners out today in Whitley Bay on the North East coast

Parts of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire were given snow and ice warnings by the Met Office overnight

Parts of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire were given snow and ice warnings by the Met Office overnight

The chilly forecast could stall the reopening of Britain's pub gardens with revellers set to shiver on benches as restrictions limit boozers to outdoor areas. Pictured: Queens Head in Cullercoats, on the North East coast

The chilly forecast could stall the reopening of Britain’s pub gardens with revellers set to shiver on benches as restrictions limit boozers to outdoor areas. Pictured: Queens Head in Cullercoats, on the North East coast

The Met Office had snow and ice warnings in place for parts of Manchester and Yorkshire this morning, with police forced to close one dual carriageway due to the harsh conditions

The Met Office had snow and ice warnings in place for parts of Manchester and Yorkshire this morning, with police forced to close one dual carriageway due to the harsh conditions

However, forecasters are hopeful of a dramatic improvement through the week as temperature are set to soar up to 16C by Thursday in a mini-heatwave that will last through the weekend.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: ‘By the time we get to Monday, April 12, it’s certainly looking fine, dry and cold in the south.

‘The further north you go, the colder it is and there’s a risk of showery rain for the west side of Scotland and for Cumbria.

Lancashire Road Police warned people that the A56 was partially closed 'due to heavy snow and numerous stranded vehicles'

Lancashire Road Police warned people that the A56 was partially closed ‘due to heavy snow and numerous stranded vehicles’ 

The quick blast of snow is hoped to be the last of the winter weather before Britain climbs back into double figures by the middle of the week

The quick blast of snow is hoped to be the last of the winter weather before Britain climbs back into double figures by the middle of the week

A man walks a dog in a light dusting of overnight snow at Seaton Sluice on the North East coast this morning

A man walks a dog in a light dusting of overnight snow at Seaton Sluice on the North East coast this morning

‘There’s a chance that some of that rain could fall as snow in the high ground in Scotland.

‘There’s also a chance of frost on Monday and Tuesday morning, following cold nights, with most places likely to see temperatures just touching above freezing.’

On Tuesday there will be further showers across Scotland. Elsewhere will be mostly dry with sunny spells across much of England and Wales, however Northern Ireland will be mostly cloudy.

It will then be mostly cloudy but dry on Wednesday with spells of rain across Scotland and Northern Ireland which may be heavy.