COULD we get snow this Easter in Dorset? Here's what the forecasters have to say.

At this time of year it is not unusual for us to experience big variations in temperature and over the next few days that is certainly what we are going to see.

Snow on the south coast during spring is less common, but it's not completely unheard of the last Easter snow scatterings we saw were in 2013. 

Forecaster Bournemouth Sun said: "Whilst I’m not categorically saying it will snow over the Easter period, a much colder than average period of weather is now looking likely.

"The winter saw the occurrence of multiple warmings of the stratosphere and it seems like we are still seeing those effects as we head into spring.

"Cold air is struggling to exit Europe, and it looks as if we will once again see some cold weather across our shores - quite the opposite of last year.

"A mammoth area of high pressure across Greenland will be responsible for the return of cold northerly and easterly winds over the Easter period.

"The Easter period also looks showery and this could give way to wintry showers by day and possibly even some snow by night (if the timings are right).

"Overall it’s looking like a very chilly start to April, but I’m expecting the month to recover with about average temperatures and average rainfall."

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Bournemouth Echo:

This surfer wasn't put off by the snow - Bournemouth Echo

Next week's forecast is shaping up to be one of real contrasts with milder and warmer weather at the start of the week which dips right down by the weekend. 

Initially the weather will be very mild and potentially some of the warmest March weather we've seen in years. 

Forecaster Bournemouth and Poole Weather said: "As always we'll be prone to early season sea breezes but temperatures of 17-20C are not impossible - there are some hints of 22-24C further inland on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Through the middle of next week an abrupt change will occur, a cold northerly looks likely to set in although this is still very much TBC currently.

"Some forecast models show this is as early Tuesday, I suspect Thursday seems more likely but even then it might not occur until a bit later.

"However currently it seems likely by Saturday temps will be struggling to get past 6-8C, possibly even lower and some frost is likely overnight.

"As always snow is impossible to forecast 8-9 days out, even more so given we are entering into April so even more caveats than usual are needed, that said we did have snow showers in early April 2013 so it's not unheard of or out of the question.

"At this distance out the unusually chilly weather over Easter is a not certainty, just more likely currently, things should firm up over the next day or two."