Relief in sight after cold snap snowfall

Weather forecasters predict the cold snap will ease today after heavy snow in some parts.

Snow and sleet fell in northern Scotland and south-east England last night as temperatures plunged to -4C.

Football matches were either postponed or abandoned at Luton, Northampton, Walsall and Wycombe because of the weather conditions.

But things should start to pick up from today.

It should be mostly dry and bright except for a patch of rain starting in Northern Ireland and moving eastwards towards parts of Wales, England and Scotland.

Wet weather is expected to hit eastern coasts in England and Scotland too.

More snow and sleet is also a possibility especially in higher ground in Scotland.

Cardiff will enjoy the highest temperatures, with a maximum of 10C (50F). Meanwhile central Scotland is not expected to rise above 3C (37.4F).

Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said snow would not create hazards for the transport network.

"We wouldn't expect too much to be settling on the ground," he said.

"Although with it being that cold, even if it falls as rain you're going to get ice."

He added: "It will stay cold for the next few days.

"Later in the weekend, maybe into next week, temperatures might return more towards average, but we haven't got anything looking like warm weather."