EAST Lancashire is bracing itself for possible snow tonight after new figures revealed March was the warmest on record for the area in 40 years.

Local weather expert Roy Chetham said that last week we experienced the highest temperature he has ever recorded in March, 21.5C on Tuesday. The average day-time temperature for March is usually about 10 degrees.

By yesterday afternoon Mr Chetham said that it had not rained for 15 days, meaning the area was in ‘absolute drought’.

But despite the soaring temperatures during March, April is set to bring much cooler weather.

Tonight residents across East Lancashire are being warned of snow showers.

The Met Office said that this evening temperatures could plunge as low as freezing, with windchill making it feel as cold as -4C by 7pm.

Mr Chetham, who operates a weather station in Huncoat, said: “March was a sunny and mild month breaking some of my records.

“The first two weeks were average but then temperatures dramatically soared. Recording 21.5C on Tuesday, March 27 was the highest maximum I have ever had in March in 38 years.

“The average temperatures throughout the month were also the highest I have ever recorded in March.

“Rainfall was my least ever in March as no rain fell after Saturday, March 17.

“And it was the sunniest March since 145 hours in March 2003.”

Despite the lack of rainfall, and hosepipe bans being announced in several regions of the South and Midlands, United Utilities said there was little chance of the same happening in Lancashire.

Currently reservoir levels in the area are below normal. A MET Office spokesman said the weather was likely to remain unsettled throughout April.