
Britain is facing arctic conditions in April as two more 'Beasts from the East' are predicted to hit the country.

Easter weekend is forecast to see the next bout of wintry conditions, with extremely low temperatures of -9C predicted in places.

The second hit of cold weather is expected to strike during mid-April, according to weather forecasting models.

The south coastal resort of Dartmouth, known usually for its above average climate, pictured covered in snow on Monday

Heavy snow overnight on Sunday left snow drifts six foot high. Above, vehicles stranded near Ilfracombe, north Devon on Monday

This month has seen the country grapple with blizzards, snow and icy conditions as ten people tragically died during one of the coldest Marches on record

Pictured: A dog walker wrapped up in a coat, gloves and scarf takes her pet for a stroll on Brighton's beach today as temperatures hover around 6C

Pictured: People brave the cold March weather to enjoy a break on the beach

Meteorologists are warning Easter weekend is predicted to be unseasonably chilly, with extreme lows of -9C in places

This comes after Britons have experienced treacherous conditions during one of the coldest Marches on record which claimed the lives of ten people.

A weatherman for the BBC said: 'Some computer models are suggesting that we are going to have a blast of cold Arctic air with wind coming in from the north.

'In this situation we do tend to get snow across northern Britain and there could even be wintry showers further south as well.

'That's one suggestion. Today some of the computer models were showing that actually some of the cold air could be coming in from Scandinavia and parts of Russia which is almost a Beast from the East, not quite, let's call it a Beast from the North East.

'Now this could still wobble a little bit but one thing we are getting increasingly confident about it that the air is not going to be coming from the south so get ready for a potentially chilly Easter.'

Pictured: Farmers in their tractors help to clear the snow from a blocked road on Exmoor, Somerset

A farmer in a tractor helps to clear the snow from a blocked road heading out of Simonsbath in Exmoor National park, as the icy conditions brought by the 'Mini Beast from the East'

'White Easter': The Weather Channel UK tweeted a word of warning to followers this morning

'When will it end?': Long-range forecasts suggest two more spells of cold are on their way

This will be caused by two cold fronts moving from across the Atlantic to the West and Siberia to the East

Forecaster Amy Hodgson, of The Weather Channel, told The Mirror the chilly outlook is still in response to the sudden stratospheric warming event and polar vortex split which took place back in February.

She added that the extended cold period is caused by high pressure blocking warmer air from sweeping across the country from the south-west.

She said: 'For April, we expect temperatures to remain below normal across northern Europe.

'This is still in response to the sudden stratospheric warming event (SSWE) and polar vortex split which occurred back in February.'

While research by Dr Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Channel, told the paper these events can lead to prolonged cold weather and a negative North Atlantic Oscillation 30 to 60 days after the initial split.

Bitterly cold winds from the east and north-east normally dominate during a negative North Atlantic Oscillation phase.

This could mean one more 'Beast from the East' could occur before May as dry and cold conditions take charge under high pressure throughout much of April.

He said: 'As we head into April, most computer forecast models suggest we will get at least one more big cold spell before the blocking pattern fades, with warmer and wetter weather confined to parts of southern Europe.'