WINTRY showers left a dusting of snow on hilly areas of Ryedale early today as an Arctic blast swept the country.

North Yorkshire County Council webcam images show snow on verges at Chopgate, near Helmsley, and Blue Bank, near Whitby, at about 7am on Easter Monday.

Andy from North Yorks Weather tweeted that is was -3°C with a windchill of -11°C up on Blakey Ridge this morning.

Forecasters expect further sleet and snow showers today, tonight and tomorrow, particularly towards the coast, brought in on strong north-westerly winds, although there will also be sunny periods.

Temperatures are expected to rise to only 7C today, and fall to -3C tonight, with a maximum of only 5C forecast for tomorrow and the wind making it feel even colder.

The cold snap is expected to last until Thursday.