UK weather: Heavy snowfall forecast for Easter but milder temperatures beforehand

Sudden Stratospheric Warming pattern could bring third instalment of 'Beast from the East'

Britain looks set for a mild weekend, with only intermittent rain ahead of predicted heavy snowfall due to hit over the Easter Weekend.

While some forecasters are currently quoting temperatures as low as -10C from Good Friday, the Met Office has insisted this was "overdoing it" and said it is too early to assess the impact of an ominous-looking northerly front gathering over Scandinavia.

Although the Sudden Stratospheric Warming pattern could bring a third instalment of the "Beast from the East", it stressed we are unlikely to see the sort of widespread travel disruption that froze Britain in its tracks two weeks ago.

In the interim, the mild interlude - typified by moderate temperatures and low winds - should create optimum conditions for participants in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

Today the UK will see light rain in East Anglia, which will give way to milder temperatures and overcast skies, conditions typical for much of the rest of central and southern England and Wales.

Scotland will see sleety snow in the Highlands and heavy rain in central and south western regions, which will drift down into the north of England.

The mild weather is expected to continue over the weekend with none of the bitter easterly winds and sleet that made last weekend so dreary.

However, Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: "It is still March and so at night it will still get cold where we have clear skies and the potential for night time frost.

"Sunday night especially looks quite chilly at this stage."