The cold grip of winter refused to let go today as snow, sleet and even hail stones fell from the sky on another cold March day.

Despite temperatures for south-west London reaching between 4 and 6 degrees this morning, they suddenly dropped to near freezing at 1pm, when the rooftops were quickly covered in white by the frozen showers.

The Met Office has forecast the showers to die away this evening, leaving a dry night with a mix of mist and patchy fog.

But, it added, the minimum temperature may drop again to freezing and there is a risk of ice on untreated roads.

Wednesday is expected to be largely cloudy, with limited sunny intervals, also scattered showers.

Thursday will be generally dry and bright, although still rather cold.

And Friday is forecast to have a frosty start, with cloud and rain or snow later in the day.

Click here for a 24-hour weather forecast for where you live.