Winter returned with a vengeance today as snow began falling in the streets of York.

A man and girl battle against the snow today in Shambles. Picture: Mike Tipping

Forecasters said the unsettled weather would continue at least until Friday and possibly through to Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be about minus 2C (28F) in England and Wales tonight and as low as minus 7C (19F) in parts of Scotland.

Martin Airey, senior forecaster at the PA Weather centre, said higher areas like the North York Moors would have heavier falls, but even there he thought there would be warmer periods between them.

He said the showers would clear later today, but the drier weather would be accompanied by a big drop in temperatures, down to below freezing during the evening.

Tomorrow there would be more heavy, possibly thundery showers, with sunshine in between. It would remain cold for the time of year up to the weekend.

"It's a bit of a return to winter for us," he said.

see COMMENT 'A snowy wicket'

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