Easter weekend weather may last until end of April

THE unseasonal weather gripping Britain could last beyond the Easter weekend to the end of April, warns the Met Office. In its regular 30-day forecast, it predicts sub-zero temperatures over the holiday weekend and widespread frost for the week after.

According to the Met Office, the severe cold weather and icy conditions will persist between Good Friday and Easter Monday. Ladbrokes is offering 5/1 that it will be the coldest Easter weekend ever while a white Easter is odds-on.

The sub-zero temperatures mean many of us are heading for warmer climates for Easter. The Association of British Travel Agents announced that 1.7 million Britons are going abroad to escape the chill.

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Chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "After two wet summers and no end in sight to the winter, many Brits are desperate for some sunshine. We've seen a surge in last-minute bookings to warm destinations."

Temperatures across Britain are unlikely to return to normal until late April and remote areas of Northern Ireland are still deep in snow. Earlier this week an RAF Chinook helicopter had to airlift hay to stranded sheep and cattle.

Despite the dire forecast, Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said there was light at the end of the tunnel: "With the sun gaining strength and warmth at this time of year it should feel much more pleasant despite the below-average temperatures."