WINTER returned with a vengeance today as snow fell across Hampshire.

Many roads, including the M3 and M27, were affected by the difficult conditions and the Met Office issued a number of flash warnings of severe or extreme weather.

Drivers were warned to take extra care on the roads, check for up-to-date information on weather and road conditions before they set off, and during their journey.

Hampshire Police advised motorists to stay at home unless their journey was vital.

Forecasters said that the worst of the heavy snow would clear away during today.

Matt Dobson, from weather organisation the MeteoGroup, said up to three inches of snow had settled in rural parts of central southern England and snow had reached as far as the Isle of Wight.

He said: "Wintery showers, of hail, sleet and snow, will start to move south across England and Wales during the day."

He added that the morning's snow across the south would clear away into France as the day moves on.

Coastguards warned sailors not to take to the water unless they can navigate in poor visibility after rescuing two yachts and two motorboats lost in the Solent this morning.

A yacht was caught out with no visibility at 8.35am approaching Portsmouth.

Twenty minutes later, a second yacht was lost and needed rescuing near Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said sailors should not set off in bad weather unless they have a working GPS (Global Positioning System), VHS radio and up-to-date charts and are able to navigate without using sight.

"It's common sense not to go out unless you are prepared and competent to navigate safely in poor visibility," she added.

"With poor weather forecast, you need to be able to navigate without visual aids. It's like flying blind."

April is known for its changeable weather, and it seems that this year is no exception.

The month started with more spring-like conditions earlier in the week with temperatures soaring to 18C (64F).

The Met Office warned last week that this summer is likely to be hotter and wetter than usual.

It is predicting a return to the traditional British summer of ''three fine days and then a thunderstorm''.

But forecasters refused to rule out a repeat of last year's torrential rain, which caused widespread flooding. Nor would they rule out an extremely dry summer.