Cold weather continues to keep spring at bay

The severe conditions have caused disruption to millions with many wondering whether spring will ever arrive.

But although no significant snowfall is forecast at the moment, temperatures are expected to remain low for the time of the year with no warmer weather in sight.

And forecasters predict the cold snap, which has caused chaos for farmers, the transport network and homeowners, could last until mid-April.

Andy Radcliffe, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: “Throughout this week it’s going to remain cold, but not quite as cold as we’ve recently seen.

“There is no clear sign of warmer weather at the moment. Next weekend could be milder but there is a lot of uncertainty around it.”

Average temperatures between March 1 and 26 were just 2.5C (36.5F), three degrees below the long-term average, according to the Met Office. This would make it the coldest March since 1962 and also the fourth coldest in the UK since records began in 1910.

Sunday was also reported to be the coldest Easter day on record, with the mercury falling to -12.5C in Braemar in the Scottish Highlands.