A warm start to spring is set to come to an abrupt halt with ice cold temperatures forecast for early April. Forecasts from WXCharts.com predict a return of wintery temperatures on April 9 as weather maps turn blue.

According to their data, the UK will wake up to ice and frost, with the vast majority of the UK experiencing sub-zero conditions. The Met Office warns that although cold nights are likely, this will not persist, with spring weather returning throughout the day. Their long-range forecast said: “Slow-moving (or blocked) weather patterns are most likely through the middle of April.

“High pressure will probably be dominant for much of the time, bringing a lot of fine and dry weather.

“If wetter, more unsettled weather develops, this is most likely to affect the south of the UK.

“Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above average overall, although some cold nights are possible.”

The start to spring has been a warm one, with much of the UK experiencing warmer weather than holiday destinations such as Ibiza and Corfu last week.

The remainder of the month, however, looks set to bring unsettled weather conditions, with the Met Office warning of wet weather in the coming days.

Their forecast said: “The end of March will likely see a transition from unsettled conditions to predominantly dry weather.

“Over the weekend, showers or longer spells of rain are likely at times, especially in the north of the UK, with drier conditions gradually spreading in from the south.

“Into the first week of April, settled weather is expected to cover much of the UK. Most places are expected to be dry with clear or sunny spells and light winds.

“Some periods of unsettled weather could develop at times and if this happens any rain or showers are most likely to affect southern areas.”

WXCharts.com goes one step further by warning of an arctic blast throughout next week that could see temperatures of minus 2 degrees.

Cold conditions are expected to reach as far north as Edinburgh and as far south as Cornwall and Plymouth, according to the data. The maps reveal temperatures dipping below 0°C across much of the UK, including areas like Plymouth that are typically spared from such cold spells at this time of year.

Another WX Charts map shows the chill is also set to reach as far east as Southampton and London on Thursday April 3. While April is usually a mild month, with Plymouth's typical temperatures ranging from lows of 6°C to highs of 13°C, it seems this cold snap is set to make an unexpected appearance.