THE sudden cold snap to hit Worcestershire has seen unusually chilly April weather, but what is causing it?

According to the Met Office, it is not unusual to see temperatures swing at this time of year, though this year's feels much colder due to the previous warm weather front being displaced.

Dr Mark McCarthy, Scientific Manager of the National Climate Information Centre, said: “It’s not unusual to experience a wide temperature variation during a typical spring.”

On average the UK sees around 14 days each spring where temperatures fall to 0.0° C or below, and even residents in central and southeastern England can expect to see temperatures drop to this level around 10 days each spring.

Coastal regions and islands around the southern UK witness the fewest spring frosts on average.

Dr McCarthy added: “Of course, you would expect the lowest and highest spring temperatures to occur at the beginning and end of the season respectively, but natural variation dictates that periods of lower than average temperatures are to be expected as we move through the season.”

This week's weather forecast will see largely dry conditions, though it will remain cold.

Tuesday will see cloud gradually increase throughout the day bringing some isolated showers along with it, however with sunny spells too.

From Wednesday to Friday, the weather should become largely dry with some sunshine, generally becoming cloudier during the afternoons.

It will gradually become milder, although still rather cold overnight.