uk snow
Snow will return to the UK at the end of April Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Britain is braced for frost, sleet and snow next week as the Met Office warned: "Winter is about to bite back!"

The glorious sunshine that Britons have enjoyed throughout April will make way for an Arctic cold front set to bring misery to travellers and the elderly.

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This weekend should be sunny but cold with morning frosts expected. Then, on Sunday, areas of high pressure which have so far dominated April will make way for a cold front.

Icy winds will be driven down from the Arctic, bringing cold air fierce enough to rival the starkest days of winter in the UK.

"It's hard to believe with a blossom in full bloom at the moment but winter is about to bite back next week. We're talking frost, ice and, yes, even some snow," Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said.

Sunshine will bring daytime temperatures above the freezing mark but well down on the 20C+ highs enjoyed in the UK throughout spring 2017.

On Tuesday it is expected to peak at 8C in the south of England and 4C in Scotland but Deakin warned that it will feel colder because of the sharp winds.

"It's well below the average for the time of year. Add on that wind and it will feel particularly cold."

"As well as frost and ice we are expecting wintry showers: sleet, snow, hail, even some snow down to relatively low levels across northern Britain.

"It is going to feel like winter has returned. However, before you dig your sledges out, just a note: a couple of weeks ago we had 25C so the Earth has warmed up a little bit.

"So, to get snow showers settling it's going to a little bit tricky. But, we may have to issue a warning so we'll keep you updated right here at the Met Office."