Winter returns for one more blast

Spring is set to be put on hold, as a second Siberian cold snap will see winter return with a vengeance over the weekend.

National forecaster Météo-France warned temperatures are expected to fall as much as 10C from their current spring-like levels from Saturday through to Monday, and hinted that it could remain cold for up to 10 days

Lille residents are expected to enjoy temperatures of 13C on Friday, but will have to wrap up warm 24 hours later as the cold snap coming into France from the north will see the mercury dip to just 3C. On Sunday, the mercury in Lille is not expected to rise above 1C.

Further south, in Paris, temperatures are expected to dip to between 1C and 3C over the weekend.

Many northern parts will also face overnight frosts into Sunday, forecasters warned, as night-time temperatures fall to between -2C and -5C.

There is also the prospect of snow in Hauts de France, notably the Aisne, Oise and Somme departments - though it is not expected to settle. Snow is also possible in Franche-Comté, Burgundy, Brittany and Normandy, forecasters said.

Further south, the rain will return - while snow could reach parts of Provence, Nouvelle Aquitaine and the Midi-Pyrénées on Monday or Tuesday, forecasters said.