Winter springs back: Don't be fooled by the mild spell - hail, frost and SNOW are on the way

But yesterday forecasters poured very cold water on our hopes - in the form of snow.

The wintry conditions are expected to return in force this weekend, just in time for the school holidays that will start in many local authorities.

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The traditional break was delayed by some schools because Easter fell so early this year.

This forecast will come as a big disappointment to pupils who had planned to travel in the country, or even step outside to play.

By Sunday, snow, sleet and hail will hit in most areas. And temperatures will remain low into next week.

The cold snap will feel even more severe because tomorrow and the next day are tipped to be the warmest of the year so far, reaching 17c (63f).

Met Office forecaster John Hammond said: "In London especially we should be seeing a comfortable 17 degrees.

"It will be a nice couple of warm spring days, with all parts of the country seeing double figures. There will be light winds and sunshine, and it will be very pleasant."

But he added: "It will become very much colder as we come to the end of the week, with temperatures dropping to about 8c (46f) - so people should really make the most of the next couple of days.

"Over the weekend there is the chance of some sleet, snow or hail showers so it is a change from the mild conditions we currently have and now seems set to flip-flop back to more wintry conditions.

"It will mainly be in northern areas and high ground but coasts on the East and West and even some inland places could see snow showers over the course of Sunday.

"If that happens at night there will also be very low temperatures and we could see frost."

A spokesman for the Met Office added: "The month has started with some lovely spring weather but it is not ready to shake off winter just yet.

"The winds are going to become more northerly towards the weekend and when that happens at this time of year, there is always an increased risk of snow.

"No one will be immune from the wintry weather."

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This year has already seen an icy Easter weekend, which was declared the coldest for 44 years.

Snow and sleet gave 16million motorists a miserable trip home from the bank holiday break.

And last month the country was lashed by 80mph winds that saw widespread damage as well as the cancellation of races at the Cheltenham Festival of Racing.