WINTER is to keep an icy grip on Huddersfield for at least a week.

That was the warning from Huddersfield weather expert Paul Stevens as snow and biting winds made spring seem so very far away.

Snow showers are likely for much of this week but the town is not expected to be hit as badly as other areas of the UK.

There has been severe disruption in both the far north and places such as the Channel Islands.

Yesterday saw temperatures struggle to get above freezing in Huddersfield, where winds from Siberia added to the problems.

The temperature in the early hours dropped as low as minus 3.5º Celsius and even by midday had struggled only to minus 1.4º.

Snow showers, some of them heavy, were blown in on 40mph winds but even on the hills there was only about 2cm.

Mr Stevens, of Salendine Nook, said: “The main feature is the bitter cold. The winds are coming all the way from Siberia and with the strength of them, it will feel very cold.

“The actual temperature stayed below freezing but in the winds it was even colder.

“Yesterday was probably the coldest day we can expect this week, but winter is going to keep an icy grip until the middle of next week.

“The temperatures may rise slightly towards the end of this week but we can expect more snow and sleet showers, with the winds switching to come from the Arctic.

“Much of the snow is melting as we do get odd patches of sun but there are chances it will stay in some areas, but I don’t expect any great problems on the roads”.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “We have carried out full grits of the priority network on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and had night patrols out monitoring the conditions.

“The forecast is for a very cold few days with further snow flurries and a wind chill temperature of minus 8 to continue.

“We have plenty of salt down but will continue to monitor the conditions and grit as necessary”.

Travellers battled ice, snow and bitterly cold winds across the UK as winter returned.

Jersey Airport was shut due to snow, and on the roads there were hazardous conditions on many major routes.

Blizzard conditions were reported on the M40 in Warwickshire and there were numerous rush-hour accidents.

Strong winds added to drivers’ problems, with falling trees blocking some roads.

Forecasters warned of snow spreading to nearly every area of Britain, with almost 4in (10cm) expected in the worst-hit areas.

With more snow showers expected throughout the week, bookmakers slashed the odds for a white Easter.