BOLTONIANS were caught out by a surprise hailstorm this afternoon when previously sunny conditions suddenly changed.

While the majority of April 25 was marked by very sunny – albeit cold – conditions, the brief storm around 4.05pm came somewhat out the blue.

Shoppers were seen scampering across Victoria Square to avoid the hailstorm, which was accompanied by 30mph gusts of wind.

Tonight, temperatures will plunge to lows of one degrees Celsius, but the accompanying wind chill will make conditions feel like as low as minus three degrees Celsius by 6am tomorrow morning.

Looking forward, The Met Office say there is a 40 per cent chance of precipitation between 7pm and 9pm tonight, meaning that this afternoon's wintry shower may be repeated later this evening.

Video by Dean Ratcliffe

Video by Sharon Philpott