The UK's rapid temperature shift
March 29 - Britons enjoyed drinks with friends in sunny parks, with temperatures hitting 66.2F (19C) as the Rule of Six returned outdoors.
March 30 - Britons enjoyed the country's hottest March day for more than half a century. People flocked to parks and beaches as temperatures soared beyond 76.1F (24.5C), one day after lockdown rules were partially eased.
March 31 - Police seized beer from revellers and shut down parks after two days of chaos saw Britons leave beaches and beauty spots covered in litter as temperatures hit 75F (23.9C) in parts.
April 1 - Large crowds gathered in Manchester, London, Nottingham and Leeds on the last day of the UK's searing heatwave as temperatures hit 59F (15C).
April 2- High spirited revellers kicked off the four-day Easter weekend as police were forced to break up crowds in Cardiff, Exmouth and Plymouth amid temperatures of 57.2F (14C).
April 3 - Police were forced to disperse crowds for the second night in a row after groups that had been drinking on the beach in 55.4F (13C) throughout Saturday refused to go home after a day in the sun.
April 4 - Hundreds hit Britain's beaches and parks for Easter Sunday to bask in glorious sunshine as temperatures reached 64.4F (18C) in the South of England.
April 5 - Cold northern winds moved over the country with the mercury at 30F (-1C) up north and barely above freezing in the south.
Arctic winds battered Britain overnight with thousands waking up to heavy snow, fierce winds and temperatures below freezing.
The bitterly cold weather comes just 24 hours after Britons packed beaches and parks all over the country to bask in warm temperatures of 18C (64.4F) and enjoy the easing of lockdown.
Monday morning temperatures were far lower as cold northern winds moved over the country with the mercury at -1C up north and barely above freezing in the south. Tooting and Clapham in London were the most southerly places in the UK to see snow - despite forecasters saying the south would avoid frost.
The freezing weather comes as Britons prepare for more lockdown easing on April 12, with the return of beer gardens and al fresco dining.
The forecast is still promising for the big reopening with temperatures of up to 14C (57F) expected - but the cold Arctic snap may lead to anxiety in the run-up to next Monday.
The Met Office has issued three snow and wind warnings - in what is predicted to be a three-day cold snap bringing 'heavy snow showers'.
The yellow warnings are in place from 4pm on Sunday until 10am on Tuesday for Scotland, with winds of up to 70mph forecast.
Coastal areas of eastern England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland could also see snow showers on Easter Monday.
Southern England can expect to see some sunshine and highs of 7C later in the day, but gusts of up to 30mph will make the temperature 'feel like' -1C, forecasters said.
It comes after the Met Office said highs of 17.9C (64.2F) were recorded in Pershore, Worcestershire, on Easter Sunday.
The town is expected to see temperatures of 7C (44.6F) on Monday, an 11C fall.
Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: 'We will see this plunge of much colder conditions coming in. It's Arctic maritime air, which does mean it's coming from the Arctic.
'So it's going to be cold for everybody, but also windy too. The wind chill is going to be significant.'
It comes as:
- The PM will brief the Cabinet today that the conditions have been met to allow shops, gyms and hairdressers to reopen as planned on April 12;
- Mr Johnson will set out a new traffic light system for future foreign travel – but warn it is still too early to book a summer holiday abroad;
- Fears 'false positives' could cripple the UK as Boris unveils plan to test everyone twice a week;
- Scotland reopens hairdressers from today - beating the rest of the UK to the punch once again, although non-essential shops could stay closed for weeks longer;
- Daily Covid deaths fell to just ten – the lowest figure since September 14, and a reduction of more than 99 per cent since the peak in January.
TODAY: Traffic on the A832 near Muir of Ord this morning as snow sweeps in across the Highlands on what is expected to be a bitterly cold day
TODAY: A motorist clears snow from a vehicle in Sunniside, Gateshead on Easter Monday following overnight snow
YESTERDAY: People enjoy the warm weather on Southsea beach in Hampshire on Easter Sunday following a warm bank holiday weekend
LONDON: Walkers in a flurry of snowfall on Wormwood Scrubs in West London. Parts of the UK are experience freezing temperatures after a warm and sunny Easter Sunday yesterday
The Met Office's yellow warnings are in place from 4pm on Sunday until 10am on Tuesday for Scotland, with winds of up to 70mph forecast. Coastal areas of eastern England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland could also see snow showers on Easter Monday
NORTHUMBERLAND: Daffodils wilt in the cold after snow fell overnight on Easter Monday in Slayley, Northumberland. Temperatures have plummeted since yesterday
ABERDEEN: Strong winds and heavy snow hit Scotland this morning as arctic winds blew in from the north across the UK
LONDON: People walk through the snowy weather on Hampstead Heath, North London with the warm weather a distant memory
SHETLAND: High winds and blizzard-like conditions hitting the mainland in Shetland this Easter Bank Holiday morning
HIGHLANDS: Traffic on the A832 near Muir of Ord this morning as snow sweeps in across the Highlands with the warm weather replaced by a bitterly cold snap
COUNTY DURHAM: A farmer controls his herd of sheep on snow covered grounds in Castleside, County Durham on a freezing cold Easter Monday
GATESHEAD: A motorist clears snow from a vehicle in Sunniside, Gateshead on Easter Monday following overnight snow
COUNTY DURHAM: Sheep stand on snow covered ground in Stanley, County Durham on Easter Monday following overnight snow as the UK enters an 'Arctic trough'
NORTHUMBERLAND: An overnight snow fall on Easter Monday in Slayley, Northumberland. Temperatures are expected to be up to 11C lower than during the sunshine of the Easter weekend
CUMBRIA: A dog walker enjoy a stroll in the snow in Nenthead, Cumbria on Easter Monday following overnight snow as the UK enters an 'Arctic trough'
The roadmap out of lockdown in the four home nations: Where are they now, and what's coming next?
SCOTLAND
Latest lockdown easing - From today (April 5) barbers and hairdressers allowed to reopen alongside garden centres and homeware stores.
What’s coming next? - From April 26, beer gardens and gyms will be allowed to reopen. From May 17, cinemas will open their doors again and four people from two households can meet indoors.
Infection/deaths - 219,986 total cases with 7,614 deaths.
ENGLAND
Latest lockdown easing - From March 29 up to six people from different households can meet outdoors and you can enjoy most outdoor sports.
What's coming next? – Beer gardens and restaurants with outdoor dining can reopen. Non-essential retail venues can also reopen from April 12. May 17 will see easing of international travel restrictions as well as the return of indoor mixing. On June 21, all legal limits on social distancing will be axed.
Infections/deaths: 3,812,188 total cases with 127,616 deaths.
WALES
Latest lockdown easing - From March 27 'Stay local' rules scrapped and travel allowed within its borders. Six people from different households can meet indoors
What's coming next? - Travel between Wales and the rest of the UK will be allowed from April 12 and all non-essential shops will be allowed to open. From April 26, outdoor hospitality will be given the green light. Indoor mixing will be allowed from May 10.
Infections/deaths: 209,627 total cases with 5,511 deaths.
N IRELAND
Latest lockdown easing - From March 8 children in pre-school, nursery and primary one to primary three allowed back to the classroom.
What's coming next? - Northern Ireland does not have a roadmap in the same way as other regions, but non-essential shops and travel is expected to come back soon.
Infections/deaths: 117,503 total cases with 2,116 deaths
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: 'There'll be a drop of 11 degrees between one day and the next, so you will definitely notice it!'
Mr Partridge explained that a change of wind direction would bring a change in the atmosphere, leading to chilly weather.
He said: 'The air we had on Sunday came in from the south so it's pretty mild having come off the continent.
'Overnight we'll see a cold front moving southward across the country, it's already across northern Scotland, and it'll push its way southward overnight.
'That will introduce much, much colder air across the whole country.'
Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mark Sidaway, said: 'After a settled, warm spell with plenty of sunshine particularly across England and Wales our weather will take a notable change in direction later in the weekend.
'Very cold Arctic air will move in from the north west through Sunday, bringing snow showers and freezing overnight temperatures.
'The snow showers will predominantly affect the north and west of the UK. The south and east will likely remain drier but still cold with a lower chance of wintry showers.'
Sub-zero temperatures are expected in parts of northern England, while the mercury could drop to -7C in some areas of Scotland.
Snow warnings are in place for northern Scotland, with as much as 15cm falling in higher areas.
Met Office yellow warnings are in place until 10am on Tuesday for Scotland, with winds of up to 70mph forecast.
The east and west coasts of the country are likely to see a 'wintry mix' of showers, which may include some hail.
Areas away from the coast are expected to be dry and bright, but with strong winds and below average temperatures, largely in the mid-single figures.
The wind will play a key factor in today's weather, as while southern England may see highs of up to 7C, gusts up to 30mph may make the temperature feel closer to freezing.
Average temperatures for this time of year are around 10 to 12C but parts of the UK saw the mercury reach nearly 24C (75.2F) on Wednesday.
Some Britons will be anxious at the prospect of today's cold snap stretching to next week.
From April 12, beer gardens will be allowed to reopen and al-fresco dining will also return in the next stage of Britain's lockdown exit roadmap.
Barbers and hair stylists across the UK will also open and many have revealed how they are fully booked up for two weeks from when they reopen, as millions of Britons rush to get rid of their lockdown locks.
Salons can once again welcome customers back to the chair for the first time this year on April 12.
And it appears many are desperate to get back, with scores of businesses not having any remaining slots for haircuts.
NORTHUMBERLAND: A rabbit sits a field of snow that fell overnight on Easter Monday in Slayley, Northumberland as temperatures plunged from the weekend's mild weather
SHETLAND: Dave Donaldson took these photos of the wintry conditions blasting the far north of the UK with temperatures plummeting to a windchill
SHETLAND: High winds and blizzard-like conditions hitting the mainland in Shetland this Easter Bank Holiday morning
NORTHUMBERLAND: Sheep walk through a snow covered field in Slayley, Northumberland, after snow fell overnight on Easter Monday
DERBYSHIRE: Snow falling in Duffield, Derbyshire, one of the most southerly place in Britain to see snow fall on a day where temperatures plummeted
COUNTY DURHAM: Horses stand on snow covered ground in Waskerley, County Durham on Easter Monday following overnight snow
NORTHUMBERLAND: Temperatures are expected to be up to 11C lower than during the sunshine of the Easter weekend as cold northern winds move over the country
NORTHUMBERLAND: An overnight snow fall on Easter Monday in Slayley, Northumberland. Temperatures are expected to be up to 11C lower than during the sunshine of the Easter weekend as cold northern winds move over the country
GATESHEAD: A dusting of snow covers rooftops in Sunniside, Gateshead on Easter Monday following overnight snow as the UK enters an 'Arctic trough'
OLDHAM: The Met Office's yellow warnings are in place from 4pm on Sunday until 10am on Tuesday for Scotland, with winds of up to 70mph forecast
OLDHAM: Houses in Oldham covered in snow this morning as temperatures plummet sharply across the country on Easter Monday
This weekend's sweltering highs are set to dramatically plummet on Easter Monday to just 2C in the south of England (Monday's predicted temperatures)
Care home residents will also be reunited with more loved ones in a major easing of restrictions.
Lockdown rules will be relaxed so they can have two regular visitors from Monday, April 12, instead of the current one.
Residents will be able to meet two nominated relatives or friends indoors and hold hands but the guests will have to wear PPE and be tested in advance.
Babies and very young children will also be able to join in for the first time without being counted as one of the visitors.
It means some grandparents and great-grandparents will be able to meet the newest members of their families for the first time.
Care minister Helen Whately said: 'We want to go further… and our aim is to make visiting to care homes as normal as possible by the summer.'
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