BRITS are facing an -8C ‘polar plunge’ today as an icy blast brings an April cold snap.

The Met Office estimated up to 2in of snow was set to fall overnight as temperatures plummeted across the country.

The white stuff could even spark rush hour travel chaos on roads and rail.

Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: “The snow’s going to fall across quite a wide area, mainly along the east coast, taking in Northumberland, the North York Moors and the Pennines.

“Another band of snow will affect Kent and Essex and the temperatures are going to be low enough for it to settle.”

Elle a ajouté: “It’s not that unusual to see snow around Easter time.

“But it’s more of a shock to the system because of the unusually high 20C temperatures we were enjoying this time last week.”

They issued two yellow weather warnings for snow and ice covering the north east, Lincs., East Anglia, Essex and Kent.

‘COLD AIR IS COMING’

The mercury will remain below the 12C average for this time of year until at least Sunday.

In more exposed coastal areas the wind chill factor will make it feel more like freezing.

But by Monday the snow will make way for more milder conditions – and the arrival of April showers.

Donal Considine of the BBC’s forecaster DTN MeteoGroup said: “The cold air is coming from right up at the North Pole, so is as cold as it can get.

“It will definitely be unusually cold for London, with -2C forecast at Heathrow on Friday morning and Friday night, with -4C away from the city while -10C is possible for Scotland’s Highland glens on Friday morning.”

A Met Office forecaster said: “Sub-zero temperatures are possible for for much of the UK with -8C possible in the north of Scotland.”

Londoners were among those hit by snow yesterday as the Arctic blast swept through Britain.

The bone-chilling plunge saw temperatures dip below freezing first thing, with thick flurries of the white stuff spotted across the capital.

A yellow la météo warning for ice was put in place over most of eastern Britain, which is set to last until 10am today.

According to forecasters “snow and hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption”.

Met Office forecaster Matthew Box told The Sun Online: “We’ve got a cold air mass across the UK from the north.

“Behind it are showers and they’re bringing a mix of rain sleet and snow mainly to the east of the UK.

“This morning in particular we’ve got temperatures at or below zero in many places.”