16/03/2007

Artic blast expected over weekend

Artic winds, snow and strong winds are expected to hit Britain this weekend.

Forecasters say that snow and sub-zero temperatures will replace the current warm weather on Sunday.

Heavy snow showers are forecast on Sunday in Scotland and Northern Ireland, extending south to western parts of England and Wales on Monday morning.

Further spells of snow and hail are likely to affect many areas during the rest of Monday persisting into Wednesday, moving from the north and west, to eastern England by Wednesday, though most central parts should stay dry.

Forecasters expect falls of 2-3 cm at lower levels and up to 10-15 cm on some higher area. Icy stretches are expected on roads as daytime melt water refreezes. In Scotland blizzard conditions are likely in the high winds.

This is despite one of the warmest winters on record with temperatures in the recent spring-like conditions topping 14C. The temperature is expected to dip to -4C in a cold snap that is expected to last into next week.

Although snow is expected to fall across many northern regions including Wales and England longer daylight hours and higher solar heating mean that the snow is not expected to lie.

(SP/JM)

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