April snow brings end to warm spell

Parts of Britain were waking up to a blanket of snow Tuesday as the recent spell of unseasonably warm weather was replaced by wintry conditions and predictions of sub-zero temperatures, weathermen said. More than six inches of snow fell in the space of four hours in parts of Scotland overnight as an Arctic weather front bore down on the UK. And after one of the warmest Marches on record forecasters are warning Britons to get their jumpers and scarves back out with temperatures set to plummet to as low as -5C tonight as the big chill moves to southern England. Around 10cm of snow has carpeted most parts of northern Scotland overnight, with accumulations of 17cm recorded in Aviemore in the Highlands and temperatures of close to -2C in Glen Ogle. Scotland's central belt was also hit by the wintry weather, which will gradually creep into northern England, parts of Wales and the Midlands in the coming 24 hours. Forecasters said "A slow moving Arctic front has brought a wintry mix of weather to parts of Scotland overnight with snow, sleet and rain in northern and central areas. "Snow and rain showers will continue in Scotland throughout the day and move into northern England before reaching the Midlands tomorrow morning". The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning for snow in four areas of central and northern Scotland, advising the public to be prepared for transport disruption with ice developing on untreated roads.