April snow brings travel chaos in parts of UK (but it'll warm up this weekend)

April snow and ice has descended on parts of the UK. But the weather will start to turn over the next five days (SWNS)
April snow and ice has descended on parts of the UK. But the weather will start to turn over the next five days (SWNS)

A burst of April snow and ice brought travel chaos to parts of Britain on Thursday – but conditions are set to warm up this weekend.

The cold start to April left many UK commuters questioning if a further blast of wintry conditions could hit the UK.

But according to the latest 5-day forecast from the Met Office, the weather will gradually warm up across the country this weekend after a chilly week for many.

Commuters in parts of Britain faced severe delays as train services were cancelled due to snow and ice.

Northumberland was hit particularly bad by the wintry blast (PA)
Northumberland was hit particularly bad by the wintry blast (PA)

Train operator Southeastern halted some trains completely on Thursday and warned of disruption to other – leaving commuters scornful of journeys being affected by a “tiny bit of ice”

Snow fell in parts of South Wales amid a yellow warning for the region from the Met Office, which forecast between 0.8in (2cm) and (2.4in) 6cm of snowfall.

Some police forces in England and Wales also said there had been several accidents and road closures caused by the wintery weather conditions.

Overnight temperatures plunged to as low as minus 3.8C (25.2F)in Santon Downham in Suffolk.

It has been a chilly and wintry start to April (SWNS)
It has been a chilly and wintry start to April (SWNS)

Forecaster Simon Partridge said snow also fell in parts of Scotland, while areas in south and south-west England were mainly hit by heavy rain.

In County Durham, following several accidents, the fire service warned people of black ice and slush on the A1M near Chester-Le-Street.

Central and southern parts of England could also see heavy thundery downpours throughout the day, with the best of the weather is likely to be across eastern England.

Temperatures are predicted to struggle to get above 10C-11C (50F-51.8F) but could feel as low as 7C (44.6F) or 8C (48.2F) in the wind and rain.

Commuters were affected after trains were cancelled by icy conditions on Thursday morning (GETTY)
Commuters were affected after trains were cancelled by icy conditions on Thursday morning (GETTY)

It comes as spring got off to a wintry start across many parts of the country this week, with hill snow, hail and sleet.

Forecasters previously said a deep area of low pressure is centred over the UK, bringing with it the potential to drive showers and produce long spells of wet and changeable weather.

Lancashire Police said a ‘sudden microburst’ of hail and snow caused a 24-car motorway pile-up on Wednesday morning.

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The force said the M55 was closed off in both directions but no-one was seriously injured.

But, following the freezing conditions, the weekend is set to look brighter, with drizzle in the east and brighter spells in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, conditions will become warmer away from the east coast.

The Met office’s 5-day forecast read: ‘On Friday, it will remain dry and bright for most, but further showery rain is possible across western parts and the far northeast of Scotland.

Scotland saw the heaviest snowfall, while the south and and south-west of England were struck by heavy rain (SWNS)
Scotland saw the heaviest snowfall, while the south and and south-west of England were struck by heavy rain (SWNS)

‘In the sunshine, it will feel a little warmer for many.

‘From Saturday, it will becoming drier, brighter and warmer away from the east where cold and cloudy with some rain and drizzle is possible.

‘Some showers may develop across the south on Monday.’

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