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Cold weather to continue for a month, say forecasters Cold weather to continue for a month, say forecasters
(about 1 hour later)
The big chill gripping the UK will guarantee an uncharacteristically freezing cold Easter weekend and could last until the end of April, weather forecasters have warned. The big chill gripping the UK will guarantee an uncharacteristically freezing Easter weekend and could last until the end of April, weather forecasters have warned.
Temperatures are unlikely to recover to normal averages for the time of year until the latter part of next month, the Met Office said in its regular 30-day forecast. Temperatures are unlikely to recover to normal averages for the time of year until late next month, the Met Office said in its regular 30-day forecast.
Sub-zero temperatures look set to bring misery to thousands of people for the rest of the week and throughout Easter weekend as conditions show no immediate signs of abating. Sub-zero temperatures are expected to bring misery to thousands for the rest of the week and throughout Easter weekend as conditions show no sign of abating.
The Met Office issued a cold weather alert for much of England, with a 100% probability of severe cold weather and ice until Friday. Its outlook for Sunday until Tuesday 9 April predicts cold, dry weather, with a few light snow flurries and widespread frost and icy patches overnight. And it warned that temperatures are unlikely to recover to nearer normal levels until the latter part of April. The Met Office issued a cold weather alert for much of England, with a 100% probability of severe cold weather and ice until Friday. Its outlook for Sunday until Tuesday 9 April predicts cold, dry weather, with a few light snow flurries and widespread frost and icy patches overnight. And it warned that temperatures are unlikely to recover to closer to normal levels until the latter part of April.
Ladbrokes now has a white Easter as odds-on, offering 5/1 that it will be the coldest Easter weekend ever. It has also offered odds on Saturday's traditional Oxford-Cambridge University Boat Race – last year sabotaged by a swimming protester – being disrupted by ice on the Thames. Ladbrokes now has a white Easter as odds-on, offering 5/1 that it will be the coldest Easter weekend ever. It has also offered odds-on of Sunday's Oxford-Cambridge University Boat Race – last year sabotaged by a swimming protester – being disrupted by ice on the Thames.
In western Scotland, thousands of people endured a sixth day without power after being cut off last week, and many transport routes across the UK remained impassable because of deep snow drifts. After embattled sheep farmers reported the deaths of thousands of lambs in snow-affected areas such as Shropshire, north Wales, west Cumbria and the Peak District, the supermarket Waitrose said that from Thursdayit would be delivering 30,000 "macs" (light plastic coats which are 100% biodegradable and recyclable) to protect lambs against harsh weather conditions to farmers it works with in Wales and the west country. Retailers said supplies of lamb had not been disrupted before the Easter sales peak, but the National Farmers Union warned that there could be disruption later. Sales of lamb were down 30% this week compared to the week before as farmers struggled to get to market. In western Scotland, thousands endured a sixth day without power after being cut off last week, and across the UK many transport routes remained impassable because of deep snow drifts.
In the east of England, high winds have caused snow drifts while flooding in the south-west has been a wash-out for campers and campsite owners owing to the combination of freezing temperatures and waterlogged conditions. At Arthur's Field, a 63-pitch campsite in Treloan, Cornwall, only 25 families had booked for the bank holiday weekend, but half of those had already cancelled their bookings. After embattled sheep farmers reported the deaths of thousands of lambs in snow-affected areas such as Shropshire, north Wales, west Cumbria and the Peak District, the supermarket Waitrose said that from Thursdayit would be delivering 30,000 "macs" (light plastic coats which are 100% biodegradable and recyclable) to protect lambs against harsh weather conditions to farmers it works with in Wales and the west country.
Retailers said supplies of lamb had not been disrupted before the Easter sales peak, but the National Farmers Union warned that there could be disruption later. Sales of lamb were down 30% this week compared with the week before as farmers struggled to get to market.
In the east of England, high winds have caused snow drifts while in the south-west freezing temperatures and waterlogged conditions have combined to cause flooding and a washout for campers and campsite owners. At Arthur's Field, a 63-pitch campsite in Treloan, Cornwall, only 25 families had booked for the bank holiday weekend, but half of those had already cancelled.
Jon Dale, spokesman for the UK's Camping and Caravanning Club, said: "The adverse weather conditions during March have had an impact on our Easter bookings. However, we're still reassured by the number of people still wanting to pitch up with us and with better weather predicted next month."Jon Dale, spokesman for the UK's Camping and Caravanning Club, said: "The adverse weather conditions during March have had an impact on our Easter bookings. However, we're still reassured by the number of people still wanting to pitch up with us and with better weather predicted next month."
The cold snap has also triggered some unforeseen retail trends. With millions of popular spring flowers blooming late this year, John Lewis is stocking fake daffodils for the first time and is reporting a year-on-year 18% increase in sales of fake flowers overall. The retailer has also introduced artificial bluebells – another early spring flower which is being curtailed by the country's dreary weather. The cold snap has triggered some unforeseen retail trends. With popular spring flowers blooming late this year, John Lewis is stocking fake daffodils for the first time and is reporting a year-on-year 18% increase in sales of fake flowers overall. It has also started selling artificial bluebells – another early spring flower being curtailed by the dreary weather.
Marks & Spencer said sales of mulled wine were up by 50% over the past week. The retailer has normally stopped stocking it by the end of February. Marks & Spencer said sales of mulled wine were up by 50% over the past week. The retailer normally stops stocking the winter favourite by the end of February.