It's nearly May but it's SNOWING in London: Capital is hit by blast of 'thundersnowo

band of Arctic weather sweeps south - and it's going to last all week
By IVIA'IT HUNITER and KATE SAIVIIJELSOI{ FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 13:00 GIVIT, 26 April 2016 | UPDATED:17 34 GMT, 26 April 2016

*
o

(w}

bf^b

Forecasters warn unsettled picture will continue for the rest of the week wittr
temperatures staying in single figures
Thunder, lightning and sleet showers'are expected with some heavy snow forecast for
northern parts of the country
Snow lalls in London and parts in the south as people wrap up warm fronr the c<lld with
hats and winter clothing
Today is the latest it has snowed in uK for {9 years when more than 200 weather
stations recorded it on May 6, 1997
Bid you see the snow today or happen to take any photos of it? Please email
kate.samuelson@mailonli ne"co. uk
of the latest
more
visit www.da i iymai l.co. ur klu kweather

. For

UK

weather

news

and

updates

Snow and sleet has fallen in many parts of the UK as temperatures struggle to get into double
figures with the prospect of a Spring-like lVlay a long way off.
It's almost May but forecasters are warning the unsettled picture will eontinue for rnr.rch of the
week with freezing conditions in many parts.
Thunder, lightning and sleet showers are expected with some in northern areas witnessing
heavy snowfall, including on the North Yorkshire Moors and parts of Scotlarrd.
It is the latest widespread snow has been seen in the UK since May 6, 1997, when more than
200 weather stations recorded it.
Before that forecasters have to go back to i\pril 27, 1985 when several London weather stations
recorded sleet.
Snow even stopped play at The Oval cricke[ ground this afternoon as the south was dusted in
iire wlrite stuff 4.(/A,tt/,,@ 01 R@7@I'he type of snoW flq1ry seen in Lortdon is known as'thundersnow'. lt is a phenomenon caused
by heavy shofrer5?ccompanied by lightning storms.

The sight of snow in London has prompted a flurry of bets at Ladbrokes on .April heing the
coldest month on record at 511,
Another bet being taken on at 415 is that snow will fall in the UK every day until Sunday N/{ay 1.
Nicky ftltraxey, a spokeswoman for the MqXPJ["", said: 'lt's continuing to look unsettled tomorrow
and there's still a chance of more haj! aind thuhder.
'More snow will be at higher levels, over 500 metres and further north there will be a chanee of
some thunder with some hail anywhere in the country.
'Tomorrow the eastern side will have more ehances of snowy conditions, less chance in the
west
'That unsettled picture continues for the rest of the week, as we go on wind more from the
Atlantic, westerly direction and low pressurs will influence weather"
-'Temperatures will be in douible figur6s again by the weekend. Loridon on Satuaday end Srnday
will be 14-15C 157.2F-59F1, back to more of what you expect for the time of year.'
There is a severe weather warning in place for northern Scotland warning of snow and ice.
'The unsettled conditions could also cause pi"oblems for Monday's Bank
Holiday, forecasiers
say.