Brits ask one key question about April snow as temperatures set to plummet to -8C

Brits have one question on their lips amid reports that temperatures could plummet as low as -8C. While parts of the UK today basked in 19C sunshine, , forecasters have suggested that change could soon be on the horizon.

In the next two weeks, and Cumbria, Northumberland, and Durham could see the heaviest amounts on Wednesday, April 16. However, given many people see April as signalling the beginning of spring – and better – some have previously been left baffled by the prospect of .

In a post, one user asked: “Snow in London in April. Is this an April fools?”

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In response, other users filled the thread with comments about how regular, or not, snow is in April. “It's not that odd. Happens fairly regularly,” wrote one. “I moved to Essex back in 2015 and every spring since it has snowed in either April or May, why does (almost) everyone that lives here get surprised every time?,” added another.

“It snows every year in April,” said a third. In response, someone else replied: “Every year I remind people that it will snow in April because of the messed up climate - every year people act surprised when it snows in April even though it’s happened with regularity in previous years.”

But just how common is snow at this time of year? According to , seeing snowfall in April isn’t unheard of and, based on records from 1981 to 2010, it typically sees 2.3 days of snow on average. By comparison, November sees an average of 1.7 days.

Although snow might be more associated with winter months, there have been some cold April spells in previous years. Back in 2019, parts of England were hit by hill snow and sleet and the Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning for parts of northern England, while snow was also seen in parts of the Midlands.

The refers to this unsettled sequence in its long-range forecast. , its website reads: "Overnight frosts are possible on clear nights where winds fall light. There is also the chance of some areas of low cloud or fog, notably around the east coast. Towards the middle of April, the weather may turn more unsettled as rain or showers try to push in from the west."

There are 12 . These include concern for Flamstead and surrounding areas in Hertfordshire, as well as groundwater flooding in the Salisbury Plain area in Wiltshire. The Environment Agency continues to monitor these alerts.

Despite the potential prospect of snow later on this month, much of the country is currently experiencing plenty of sunshine and blue skies. . Meanwhile, the second half of the weekend is expected to see more settled weather, though the temperature may start to dip.

weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said: “We’ve got off to a very sunny start to the month already and there is loads more of that sunshine to come. The high pressure responsible probably hanging around pretty much until the middle part of the month so a lot more of the sun to look forward to.”

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