London snow: Wintry weather in capital sparks delight among Londoners

Londoners were left delighted as late snow fell across the capital today.

Parts of Islington, east London, and the City saw light snowfall at around noon. The brief flurry of snow was expected to clear this afternoon.

The cold snap comes after a mild winter in which just a couple of light snow showers hit the south-east.

Some said the weather is a fitting tribute to late musician Prince, who died last week, and famously penned the song Sometimes It Snows In April.

The Met Office had predicted wintry showers of hail, sleet, rain, and snow for today, with a risk of thunder throughout the afternoon.

Londoners reacted with incredulity and delight when the "mini blizzards" hit the capital, with office workers craning their necks out of the window to witness the falling flakes.

Diane Shugart ‏tweeted: "is a light snow really falling in #london right now or is a friend just trying to mess with my head?"

While another Twitter user posted: "Excitement! - A kiwi sees #snow for the first time in #London. Can't believe it's snowing outside @thisissmiths now!"

Amit Gupta said: "Strange day in #London, good sunshine, cold winds, occasional drizzle and some snow fall...What else could one ask for?"

While Febian Awondatu posted: "We got #SNOW!!! In London!"

Alex Allison ‏posted: "Office is excited about #Snow in April in London!"

And another Twitter user said: "Real snow!!! In London Bridge!"

However, not everyone was excited about the inclement weather.

M Omar ‏@omarm101 tweeted: "Is that snow?? #london It's April!!"

While Carrie-Anne Wright ‏said: "We have Snow in London!! And it's April!! Where has the Sunshine gone?"

And Mike Burden ‏posted: "It is 27th April; it is snowing in London. These two statements shouldn't be in the same sentence!"

Forecasters have said the wintry showers will largely die away throughout the course of this evening, giving way to clear skies.

However, frost is expected to develop in places, and temperatures could hit freezing overnight.

Londoners have been warned to expect wintry showers for the rest of the week, with an unsettled bank holiday weekend on the cards.