Cheltenham Racecourse Hit by Sudden Snowfall

Cheltenham, UK – Cheltenham Racecourse was hit by sudden snowfall on Wednesday, just three days after temperatures soared to 18°C. The abrupt shift, known as “fool’s spring,” brought a brief warm spell followed by icy conditions, impacting the ongoing Cheltenham Festival.

Last Sunday, parts of the UK felt warmer than Barcelona and the Costa del Sol. However, by midweek, the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for ice, particularly in the north.

Cheltenham Festival Organizers Take Precautions

With the four-day Cheltenham Festival underway, officials took measures to prevent disruptions. Jon Pullin, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, told ITV Racing that frost was expected, prompting them to protect key track areas.

“The temperature briefly dropped to -2°C last night,” Pullin said. “We applied precautionary measures on critical sections of the track to ensure safe racing conditions.”

By race time on Wednesday, temperatures had risen to 7°C, but forecasts suggest cold nights will persist throughout the festival.

More Snowfall Across the UK

The winter blast extended beyond Cheltenham. Birmingham city center saw snowfall on Wednesday morning, while Cumbria and Yorkshire experienced light snow and hail.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for Yorkshire and Northumberland between 3 AM and 9 AM on Thursday, cautioning that icy conditions could disrupt travel.

Meteorologist Oli Claydon explained, “Lower overnight temperatures turned some showers into snow. We expect this pattern to continue, especially in the northeast and Scotland.”

The rest of the week will remain chilly, with overnight frost and icy patches likely through the weekend.

For live weather updates, visit the Met Office’s official website.