Britain colder than Canada: More sleet due as temperatures tumble to -18c

If you thought the start of March would herald the return of that large, warm yellow object in the sky, think again.

Forecasters say the wintry weatherwhich has cast a miserable spell over Britain since December willcontinue for at least another two weeks.

Four walkers were hit by anavalanche in a remote part of the Lake District yesterday. The partygot into difficulties as they made their way up St Sunday Crag inPatterdale, which has seen heavy snowfall for the past two days.

Grounded: Flights were cancelled at Luton Airport

Flooded: Primrose Hill park in north west London was swamped after heavy rain

Two of the group were airlifted to hospital in Carlisle while the other two were treated at the scene.

Up to three inches of snow fellacross Wales, central England and East Anglia. Rain and sleet causedflooding in parts of London, the South East and South West. More...Gridlock UK: Potholes and roadworks mean a nightmare for driversSledger killed after makeshift toboggan hit by car is named by policeBaffled police log six incidents of snowball fights as "serious violent crimes" - the same category as murderWalkers rescued after being swept away by avalanche in Lake District

Met Office spokesman Dave Elliottsaid: "It looks like this weather is going to stay over the weekend andinto the week after - still very cold with overnight frosts and risksof further snowfall."

Passengers flying in and out ofLuton airport were severely delayed by snow in Bedfordshire whichforced bosses to close the runway.

Soaked: Rain and sleet caused flooding in Horndean, Hampshire

Four flights were cancelled and four diverted to other airports as staff struggled to clear the snow off the runway.

Treacherous driving conditions onmany of Britain"s major roads caused a series of accidents as millionsof parents battled to get their children to school on their first dayback after the half term break.

The wintry conditions claimed a lifeon Sunday as a young father was killed and his cousin seriously injuredwhen their homemade toboggan was hit by a car.

Cold comfort: Lambs in Catterick, North Yorkshire, try to keep warm

Weather-worn: A child battles against the wind and snow in Cambridge

Commuters travelling by train were hit by delays caused by overrunning weekend engineering work.Buses replaced trains on East Midlands Trains" services between Boston and Grantham in Lincolnshire and on the First TransPennine Express service between Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes.

Overrunning works also delayed services in the Oxford area and on East Coast services through Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

THREE-DAY FORECAST

TODAYSouth: Heavy rain, occasional sleet. Min -2c (28f) Max 6c (43f)North: Wintry showers, some sunshine. Min -3 (27f) Max 3c (37f)TOMORROWSouth: Heavy rain showers. Min 2c (36f) Max 9c (48f)North: Rain and snow. Min -2c (28f) Max 4c (39f)THURSDAYSouth: Cloud and rain. Min 3c (37f) Max 8c (46f)North: Rain and sleet. Min 0c (32f) Max 5c (41f)

Details of the incidents emerged as forecasters said Britain had seen its coldest winter for more than 30 years.

Weather forecaster MeteoGroup said the provisional average winter temperature of 2.4c (36.3f) in England was the lowest since 1978-9. There is one week left of the winter season to go.

Spokesman Michael Dukes said: "It has been a remarkable winter. For anyone under 30 this has been the worst winter of their lifetime and there is more snow to come."

Met Office spokesman Dave Elliott said: "It looks like this weather is going to stay over the weekend and into the week after - still very cold with overnight frosts and risks of further snowfall."

Motorists were warned to take extra care after the Met Office issued a widespread warning of ice across the North West, the North East, Yorkshire, the Midlands, the East and the whole of the South of England, including London.

Heavy rain warnings were issued for the East, South West, London and the South East.

Commuters faced a depressingly familiar start to the week yesterday as snow and heavy rain caused widespread disruption.

Up to three inches of snow fell across Wales, Central England and East Anglia, while rain and sleet caused flooding in parts of London, the South East and South West.