THE 'Beast from the East' is set to bring snow and bitter temperatures next week as the Met Office issues weather warnings.
Snow and ice warnings are in place for parts of the country today as a brutal front moved in to batter Britain with sub-zero weather.
And it could be a similar story next week, with another Beast from the East type front moving in over the weekend.
Further wintry weather is forecast to arrive on Saturday, which “could bring heavy rain and also some significant snow particularly for central parts of England”, according to the Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.
It's possible temperatures will plunge further next week, Burkill added, saying there is “very much a possibility” of a Beast from the East 2 in the “middle of next week”.
Follow our weather live blog below for all the latest news and updates from around the country
- Catriona Graffius
TEMPERATURES COULD PLUNGE FURTHER NEXT WEEK
From January 15, unsettled conditions will develop across the UK, bringing spells of rain to many areas, perhaps, accompanied by strong winds, the Met Office said.
It's possible temperatures will plunge further next week, a Met Office added, saying there is “very much a possibility” of a Beast from the East 2 in the “middle of next week”.
- Catriona Graffius
POWER CUTS AND UP TO 20CM SNOW COULD FALL TOMORROW
Up to 20cm of snow could fall in places during the 37-hour weather blast.
Yellow weather warnings have been placed across the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, with possible travel disruption.
According to the Met Office, there are "possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers, especially across higher routes, with potential for road closures".
The Met Office has also warned of power cuts in parts of Northern England and Scotland on Thursday, January 14, due to heavy snowfall.
- Catriona Graffius
BEAST FROM THE EAST II
Britain will be hit with heavy snow this week as freezing temperatures are set to plunge to -10C in some areas.
And forecasters fear a major sudden polar vortex event could trigger another "Beast from the East".
Forecasters suggest a new "Beast from the East" could hit Britain with "significant" snow and -5C daytime temperatures for two months.
Freezing conditions similar to those which caused the phenomenon in 2018 are forming, with experts warning we could be battered once more.
- Catriona Graffius
SNOW AND ICE WARNINGS WILL LAST UNTIL TOMORROW
Snow and ice warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland and northern England.
The warnings will stay in place until noon tomorrow.
- Catriona Graffius
SNOW, ICE AND RAIN WEATHER WARNINGS
Snow and ice warnings are in place across most of Scotland and parts of northern England including Sheffield and Leeds.
The Met Office warns: "Heavy snow may affect parts of the warning area, with possible significant travel disruption."
In Northern Ireland, there is a yellow rain warning in place covering eastern parts of the country and including Belfast.
- Catriona Graffius
UK WEATHER REST OF THE WEEK
Further rain is expected across England, Wales and Scotland this week and could fall as sleet and snow in places.
On Wednesday east and central parts of England will clear and there will be more sunshine across Northern Ireland.
Many areas will be dry on Friday.
Rain is expected across the north on Saturday and Sunday but it should be drier in the south.
- Catriona Graffius
TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST
Today, bands of rain will sweep east with snow, sleet and ice possible in northern England and Scotland.
Central and southwest England and Wales are expected to be clearer today.
Tonight, there will be rain, sleet and snow in north and east of the UK, with some heavier falls of snow over hills in north.
The Rain will turn heavy, across west Wales and northwest England.
- Hana Carter
FLOOD WARNINGS AND ALERTS
There are flood warnings in place for:
- River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill
- River Ouse at Naburn Lock
- River Ouse at York
And there are 17 flood alerts in place for:
- Lower River Derwent
- Lower River Soar in Leicestershire
- Lower River Swale
- River Churn and tributaries
- River Churnet and River Tean
- River Rye catchment
- The tidal Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne
For the full list, visit the Government website
THE MOST EXTREME WEATHER TODAY
- Hana Carter
YELLOW WARNINGS FOR TOMORROW
- Hana Carter
SNOW AND ICE TOMORROW
According to the Met Office, rain will be hitting southwestern and western areas moving northeastwards, with possible ice and snow as it encounters cold air across northern England and Scotland.
Some southwestern areas drier and milder.
- Hana Carter
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
Some southwestern areas of England and Wales cloudy with occasional rain and mild – these wetter conditions reaching Northern Ireland later.
Most northern and eastern areas clear with a sharp frost, the odd wintry shower towards northeast Scotland, especially Shetland.
- Hana Carter
STAYING SAFE IN A STORM
Torrential downpours are expected across most of Northern Ireland on Wednesday as the Met Office have issued a weather warning for heavy rain.
Here’s how you can stay safe during a storm:
- Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything that can be blown into windows.
- Close and securely fasten windows and doors.
- Park vehicles in a garage or keep them clear of fences, buildings, trees and walls.
- Close and secure lofts and trapdoors.
- If your home is fastened with storm shutters, then make sure these are closed and secured.
TEMPERATURES TO DROP OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS
PICTURED: WAVES CRASH AGAINST TYNEMOUTH PIER
- Hana Carter
TEMPERATURES TO DROP
The Met Office says: "The height at which temperatures are below freezing will lower during Wednesday and into Thursday, especially across northern and eastern parts of the UK.
"Rain moving slowly northeastwards will turn to sleet & snow, especially over the hills, but also to some lower levels."
- Hana Carter
WHAT IS SUDDEN STRATOSPHERIC WARMING?
Meteorologists have confirmed a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event is happening over the Arctic, which is what happened before the Beast from the East three years ago.
The weather event happens when the temperature in the stratosphere soars by 50C.
This reverses Britain’s wind pattern – bringing in freezing blasts from Siberia, Russia.
Winds from Siberia push in from the east, causing the mercury to plummet – with even daytime temperatures struggling to rise above zero.
It generally takes two weeks to see the effects of a “sudden stratosphere warning” (SSW) which causes the Beast from the East.
These “SSWs” cover a larger area and can move south to Canada, the USA and Europe, increasing the risk of air temperatures decreasing to potentially dangerous levels.
- Hana Carter
COLD AND FROSTY TONIGHT
- Chris Bradford
HOW TO KEEP WARM DURING WINTER?
It’s vitally important that we keep warm over winter as it can prevent colds, flus, and more serious health problems including strokes, heart attacks and pneumonia.
Here are a few top tips on how Brits can stay warm:
- Heat your home to at least 18C
- Keep your bedroom window closed on winter nights
- Keep active when your indoors – try not to sit still for more than an hour.
- Wear several layers of light clothes – several layers will trap warm air better rather than one bulky layer.
- Check your heating and cooking appliances are safe
IS YOUR BOILER UP TO TASK?
With up to 5cm of snow forecast for some areas of Scotland, many will be wanting to make sure whether their boiler can cope in the days ahead, especially as we’re at home in lockdown.
Richard McLaren, of the National Energy Company, Fife, shares the top five signs that your boiler might be close to breakdown.
- Strange noises – boilers tend to emit a low background noise but if your boiler starts knocking, banging or whistling, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
- Increasingly poor performance – your boiler may take a long time to turn on, heat up, or may not turn on at all.
- Water leaks – if there’s a puddle or extra moisture, it could mean that a more serious leak is imminent. A leak could lead to property damage or boiler corrosion.
- Unpleasant smells – common smells that can be produced by a malfunctioning boiler include burnt metal or plastic, with these caused by overheating. But, a foul, sulphuric smell could point to a gas leak and should be reported immediately to a plumber.
- Higher energy costs – a sudden spike in your energy bills might mean your boiler is inefficient.
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS FROM NEXT WEEK AS BEAST FROM EAST SET TO HIT
Britain is set for more heavy snow and blizzards next week as a new Beast from the East is due to hit in the coming days.
Freezing conditions similar to those which caused the phenomenon in 2018 are forming, with experts warning we could be battered once more.
Meteorologists have confirmed a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event is happening over the Arctic, which is what happened before the Beast from the East three years ago.
When this happens the warming can affect the jet stream which regulates much of the weather in the UK.
It if it heavily disrupted, or even reversed, it means Brits could be hit with the same chilly conditions currently north of Scandinavia.
- Chris Bradford
IN PICTURES: BIRD PASSES SCARBOROUGH PIER LIGHTHOUSE DURING SUNRISE
Credit: PA:Press Association - Chris Bradford
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
Tonight will see a mild and damp night in the south west of England but it will be bitterly cold in the north east.
Areas across southwestern England and Wales will be cloudy and mild with the occasional downpour.
Wet conditions will reach Northern Ireland overnight and persistent downpours are likely.
Brits will see a clear night in the north east of England but there will be a sharp frost.
There is a chance of wintry showers in the north-east of Scotland towards Shetland.
- Chris Bradford
COUPLE TRAVEL 60 MILES AND GET LOST ON MOUNTAIN SPOT
Cops have issued a warning after a couple travelled 60 miles to a beauty spot before getting lost on a mountain.
The couple had travelled from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, to Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales on Sunday, but arrived ill-equipped.
They got into difficultly at the top of the peak and lost their way due to low lying fog, ice and snow.
The worried walkers asked for help as they couldn't find the paths due to the failing light and wintry conditions.
Superintendent Mike Walker, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "This couple were incredibly fortunate to have come through this experience without injury and be able to tell the tale."
- Chris Bradford
FARM ROOF COLLAPSES ON 400 SHEEP UNDER WEIGHT OF SNOW AS STORM FILOMENA HITS SPAIN
A farm roof has collapsed on 400 sheep due to the weight of snow caused by Storm Filomena, killing over 100 animals.
The incident took place at a farm in Villaseca de la Sagra in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha.
The unnamed farmer said that over 100 sheep were killed when the roof collapsed due to the weight of snow after Storm Filomena battered the Spanish region.
He added that most of the surviving sheep are still trapped under debris in difficult-to-reach places.
The farmer has asked for help to get the survivors of his 400-sheep herd out alive.
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