UK weather: Snow, ice and temperatures as low as -3C hit Britain

Temperatures as low as -3C will push back spring by almost a week as an easterly breeze from northern Europe brings snow back to Britain.

The Met Office says Scotland, parts of Cumbria and Wales will see the coldest weather, while the south east of England has the warmest weather, but temperatures will struggle to get warmer than 8C.

A spokesman told the Independent: "Temperatures are slightly below average now we're in the meteorological spring but in March you tend to find a large variation in temperatures between warm and cold."

"At the moment we've got an easterly air flow bringing in cold air from continental Europe with a chilly breeze."

Leon Brown at The Weather Channel says: "Next week still looks mainly dry with high pressure dominating the weather, although a few light showers are likely over the west early in the week."

"There will be night frosts with early morning temperatures near 0C in rural areas most mornings, and it looks like Tuesday morning may be quite foggy across much of central and eastern Britain, so take care if driving Tuesday morning since could be some dense fog around dawn.

"In the sunshine next week, afternoon temperatures should reach 10 to 12C over the south, feeling pleasant and spring-like with only light winds."

Mr Brown adds: "The jet stream moving back southwards from the end of next week so becoming more unsettled from the north west."

Meanwhile, forecaster Christ Burton at The Weather Network says: "The chilly easterly breeze looks like it will continue into the start of next week, although temperatures should then slowly recover and it should also remain largely dry."

For the solar eclipse on 20 March, Mr Burton says: "Early indications for next Friday morning suggest southern and eastern areas of the country will have the best viewing conditions with more in the way of cloud likely across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, there is plenty of time for the forecast to change."