After weeks of bright sunshine and balmy temperatures, the weather has taken a sharp turn for the worse.
And as parts of Britain have been battered by snow, sleet and gale-force winds, an Arctic blast is set to send temperatures plummeting for much of the week, putting spring on hold.
There has been bright sunshine but temperatures in Huddersfield dropped as low as minus 1.2°C early today - Monday, with another freezing night expected early tomorrow.
Parts of the town saw severe frosts, with drivers having to scrape ice from their cars, and tomorrow could see sleet, hail and even snow.
Across the UK, the mercury plummeted to -8C (17.6F) in Northern Ireland last night - making it one of the coldest April nights on record.
And experts warned the bad weather will last into next month, meaning those hoping to enjoy a spot of sunshine on the May bank holiday weekend will be disappointed.
Huddersfield weatherman Paul Stevens said: “We had minus 1.2° in Huddersfield early today, which is one of the lowest on record for April 27, and it looks as though there will be another cold night ahead.
“It has been nice and sunny but even in the sun, temperatures have got up to only 8°or 9° which is well below average for the time of year.
“In the sun it feels warm but temperatures will drop noticeably as we head overnight and there is also the likelihood of a band of showers coming through, That means sleet or hail in many parts and the chance of a covering of snow on the moors and hills.
“I think that will be with us at least until Thursday and it looks set to remain unsettled for the whole week”.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey, said: “The weather has started to change and it is coming from the Arctic.
“We have had a long stretch of quite settled weather where high pressure has dominated, but that has moved out. This cold air has moved in from the Arctic and that is moving slowly south.”
Drivers have been warned to be careful of potentially treacherous conditions as wintry showers of sleet and snow hit Scotland and Northern Ireland, before sweeping across northern parts of England, Wales and the east coast. Gale-force winds of 50 mph are predicted to batter Northern Ireland.
Less than a fortnight ago, Britain enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far with the mercury hitting 25.1C (77F) in Kent.
