[Patrick]

It may be British Summer Time - but a wintry blast is on the way, forecasters warned.

There will be a brief cold snap on Tuesday and Wednesday, with snow expected on high ground in northern parts of Britain, said Julian Mayes, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.

He said: "It's turning very unsettled and we expect a two-day cold snap on Tuesday and Wednesday, which is going to give quite a surprise to many people after the recent mild weather.

"The current charts suggest it's going to be fairly shortlived in the south, with the worst of the cold winds and risk of snow being on the northern hills.

"On Tuesday, we expect to see rain or showers over most of Britain, with strong northerly winds over Scotland turning the rain to snow there in some places.

"Tuesday night looks like being a very cold night, particularly over Scotland and Ireland, with snow on high ground and rain at lower levels.

"But even if people miss the snow, it's going to be cold and windy and wet.

"On Wednesday, there is the likelihood of snow on high ground in Scotland - approaching blizzard conditions on the highest ground.

"That night it will be still very windy and cold with showers or longer spells of rain, then on Thursday there should be some sunshine for some areas, with winds from the north west rather than the north - we'll be beginning to come out of it by then.

"It should be milder by Friday, with rain coming in from the south west, but unfortunately it does look an unsettled picture over the Easter weekend."

Pfft.

This time last week we promised the hottest summer ever in the UK.