Just as it seemed safe to go outside again after the big freeze, winter is bursting forth on to the scene today, taking the starring role. Heavy snowfall is expected in Wales, the south Midlands and some central southern areas, as moist, mild Atlantic air drives into colder air. The snowfall will be heaviest on higher ground where it is colder, but even some lowland areas will see snow on the ground, although it will be wet and probably quickly turn to slush.
On Thursday another band of very wet and windy weather will come rushing in from the Atlantic, with chances of snow in Scotland and northern England.
The brief return of snow is a warning shot across our bows — winter is not over yet. A stubborn block of frigid air remains stuck over Scandinavia and Russia and may launch fresh bouts of harsh weather on Britain.
There are early signs that another serious freeze could return in the next week or so. At the moment, the weather patterns over Europe are stuck in something of a rut. There is, however, enough movement to make Britain the battleground between warm Atlantic air clashing with cold northern air. All it will take is for the high pressure that is over Scandinavia to slip farther west, and we will be back to sub-zero cold again.
This pattern is typical of some of our hardest winters in the past, during which the temperature flipped between mild and freezing cold.