‘What just happened?’: Shock as light snow falls across London as temperatures plummet

A light spattering of snow across the capital has shocked Londoners, just days after people were basking in some early spring sunshine.

Overnight temperatures plummeted to just 1C, due to an Arctic maritime air mass which has gusted down from the North Pole.

People reported snowfall all over London - from Hackney to Peckham - with a mixture of surprise and shock.

The snow didn’t settle, however it begins a period of cold temperatures across the capital.

London weather

The Met Office says there will be rain, sleet and hill snow across the South East and London.

Overnight the meteorologists predict the mercury will plummet to 1C, which will feel like -4C with wind chill.

The weather boffins warn Londoners of cold temperatures with widespread frost, with risks of ice patches overnight.

On Friday there will be sunny spells and wintry showers, and on Saturday morning the mercury will drop to 0C.

The weather won’t warm up until Sunday, when a low of 9C is expected.

What is an Arctic maritime air mass?

An Arctic maritime air mass has similar characteristics to a polar maritime air mass, but because of the shorter sea track the air is colder and less moist, the Met Office says.

Arctic air is uncommon during the summer, but when it does occur it may bring heavy showers or thunderstorms and unseasonably low temperatures.

Between October and May, the air is cold enough to produce hail showers or snow, and these are most frequent over Scotland and along the coasts exposed to northerly winds.

An Arctic maritime air mass has its origins over the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean.

Polar low-pressure systems forming in this air mass can sometimes lead to widespread and heavy snowfall, but otherwise inland areas remain free of cloud in the winter months. In northern Scotland, arctic maritime is usually the coldest air mass, but over the rest of Britain, this air mass is not as cold as polar continental.