UK Edition
Hay fever sufferers in for worst Easter in years as pollen levels peak early
Hay fever sufferers are in for a tough Easter break as pollen levels are due to be higher than they have been in years.
The late date of the holiday this year combined with hot weather mean that levels of birch pollen will peak over the bank holiday weekend.
Around a quarter of the 18 million hay fever sufferers in Britain experience an allergy to birch pollen, which is normally released into the air from mid-April and reaches peak levels in early May.
But this year it will be released around 10 days earlier due to warm weather, experts said.
Dr Jean Emberlin, of the charity Allergy UK, said: "The Easter weekend will be far worse for hayfever sufferers than last year. Because of the fine weather we have had a lot of high birch pollen counts.
"This week and the Easter weekend is the peak of the birch pollen season in the South and the Midlands - the North will probably see a peak next week."
The majority of Brits with hayfever are allergic to grass pollen, which normally starts circulating in the air in May or June.
But if the warm weather continues, experts warn the grass pollen season could also start earlier.
However, the warm conditions experienced last weekend are not set to continue, as snow is set to fall in parts of Britain over the Easter Bank Holiday.
Flurries could fall in the hills of Scotland overnight as cold air pushes in from the north west, according to the Met Office, but they are not likely to be heavy.
Forecaster Emma Sillitoe said "wintry elements" have started in the Grampians, where temperatures may fall close to freezing.
Forecaster Chris Page said: "At this time of year a lot of our weather is influenced by wind direction.
"Last weekend we had a lot of wind from the south which was warm and coming from France and we had 25.5C (78F) in Cambridge on April 9, the hottest day of the year so far.
"This weekend is a different kettle of fish with winds coming in from the north as it is a lot cooler and a lot colder."
There is set to be sunshine and rain in most parts of Britain in a changeable few days of weather over the Easter break.
Top temperatures of 14C (57F) can be expected in the south on Saturday, and the north and Scotland may see minimum temperatures of 3C (37F) at night.
It is also set to be a quite chilly start to Saturday in the Midlands and most places will feel an Easter breeze and a spot of sunshine.
Central parts of Britain can expect rain on Easter Sunday.
Ladbrokes bookmakers have dropped its odds to a 2/1 shot from 5/1 that snowflakes fall anywhere in the UK this Easter weekend.
Jessica Bridge, of Ladbrokes, said: "Unfortunately it looks like Easter 2017 could be a let down, and we've been left with little option but to cut the odds accordingly."