BRITS are set to be ravaged by snow blizzards, gale force winds and widespread ice this week as temperatures plummet to as low as -3C.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across most of northern England as well as northern and eastern Scotland.
Meteorologist Richard Miles said: "It’s going to be colder than we have been used to over the last couple of days and Christmas. We are going into a period when temperatures will be dropping quite a bit."
according to the weather agency, Aberdeenshire and north eastern Scotland could see winds of up to 80mph -creating "blizzard conditions" when combined with snow.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
- Milica Cosic
Coldest January on record in the UK
Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds to 6-4 (from 3-1) for this month to end as the coldest January on record in the UK, as the latest forecasts point to falling temperatures from Wednesday.
The firm go 2-1 for this winter to be the coldest ever in the UK.
“We’ve enjoyed some unseasonable mild temperatures over the last few days but that is set to come to a crashing end later this week. With snow and freezing temperatures on their way, we have slashed the odds in half on this month ending as a record cold January,” said Coral’s John Hill.
- Milica Cosic
Weather outlook for Thursday to Saturday
Frosty to start Thursday, becoming milder with strong winds and rain, snow over high ground in North.
Colder on Friday with blustery wintry showers.
Milder Saturday with outbreaks of rain.
- Milica Cosic
Frequent showers and strong winds until today in Scotland
Tuesday started with “showers, accompanied by strong winds” and these conditions will last till Wednesday.
The weather warning states: “Frequent snow showers and gusts to severe gale force are expected on Tuesday, leading to travel disruption, particularly for higher routes.
“In combination with winds gusting 50 to 60mph, perhaps 70mph on exposed summits, temporary blizzard conditions and some drifting of snow on higher-level routes is likely.
“Gusts of around 70mph on exposed coasts will generate some large waves and dangerous coastal conditions in a few places.”
The rest of the UK will have sunny spells and showers but it will be particularly windy and cold in the northern parts of the country.
- Milica Cosic
Wednesday's weather
Today will be a fine and mostly sunny day, especially for England but it will be cloudier for western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A small chance of catching a shower in northern Scotland and the west coast of Wales, falling as snow over Scotland.
A chilly day, with fresh north-westerly winds
- Milica Cosic
This week will be feeling colder for all
Met Office forecasters warned: “Cold northerly air dives south across the whole of the UK with brisk winds.
“It’s feeling colder for all, especially in the wind.”
In the capital, temperatures will plummet by 10C, from 16C at the weekend to just 6C today.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said we’re facing a “shock to the system” as the chilly winds make it feel as cold as -2C.
“It will definitely be colder, so if you’re going out, think about an extra layer,” he said.
“You might need anything to keep the wind out because it’s not going to be pretty.”
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Thursday and Friday
Thursday will see spells of heavy rain for all areas at some point in the day, falling as snow over hills, with snow showers expected in the evening.
Moderate southerly winds. Friday will be dry and sunny for eastern parts but wintry showers will persist for western areas.
A moderate westerly breeze.
- Milica Cosic
Wind and snow weather warning – what to expect
- Difficult driving conditions at times on higher routes is likely.
- Some bus, ferry, and possibly train services affected, with journeys either cancelled or taking longer.
- Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges possible.
- It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves.
End of January outlook
Through the rest of January, a continuation of the rather changeable regime is expected with spells of wet and windy weather interspersed by drier, brighter periods.
Temperatures are likely to remain close to or slightly above average due to a mixture of mild spells and shorter-lived colder periods.
These shorter-lived colder periods may still allow for some snow, but this will typically fall over hills in the north.
Towards the end of this period, there is a tentative sign of more settled spells developing, particularly across the south which would increase the chance of overnight frost and fog here.
'Something much more wintery on the way'
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “There is something much more wintery on the way.
“After the very mild start to the month we expect northerly winds to return through the coming days.
“The month overall looks like dishing up something far wintrier than we have seen over the Christmas and New Year period.”
- Milica Cosic
Two days of snow to blast Britain
BRITAIN is set to be blasted with two days of snow and ice from today as the bizarre winter heatwave comes to an abrupt end, with Yellow weather warnings are in place across Scotland and northern England.
The bone-chilling plunge has prompted fears of travel chaos as forecasters warn of dangerous conditions on the roads.
Yellow weather warnings are in place across northern Scotland, while further warnings span over Manchester, Leeds, York, Sheffield, Carlisle and Newcastle.
In northern England, a warning of ice will be in place until 11am today.
- Milica Cosic
Wednesday to Friday forecast
Blustery wintry showers early in the far northeast.
Elsewhere, fine after a widespread frost.
Rain, with hill snow in the north, Thursday, clearing to wintry showers later and into Friday.
- Milica Cosic
‘Icemageddon’ warning
AUTHORITIES in Alaska issued "Icemageddon" warnings as conditions swung from record heat to record snowfall in the state.
In the town of Ketchikan in the southeastern part of the state, temperatures plunged to record lows — a chilly -0.4F on December 25, BBC News reported.
"December was a wild, wacky and impactful winter month weather-wise over much of Alaska," Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy's Rick Thoman said on Twitter.
"From unusual cold to unprecedented warmth, excessive snowfall to record dry. Plus severe blizzards, crippling freezing rain and damaging winds."
The "Icemageddon" warnings stemmed from dangerous conditions brought on by ice, as hard as cement, covering roads.
- Milica Cosic
This month will see drop in temperatures, says Met Office expert
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the average temperature in December and the beginning of January is usually around 7C or 8C, with the warmer weather due to a south-westerly wind making its way across the country.
The higher temperatures are usually localised, but “plenty of places” have seen highs of 15C over December.
However, he added that January could see a drop in temperatures because of an Arctic chill sweeping through from next week.
- Milica Cosic
Going to be feeling colder for all
Met Office forecasters warned: "Cold northerly air dives south across the whole of the UK with brisk winds.
"It's feeling colder for all, especially in the wind."
In the capital, temperatures will plummet by 10C, from 16C at the weekend to just 6C today.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge said we're facing a "shock to the system" as the chilly winds make it feel as cold as -2C.
"It will definitely be colder, so if you're going out, think about an extra layer," he said.
"You might need anything to keep the wind out because it's not going to be pretty."
- Milica Cosic
Coldest January on record in the UK
Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds to 6-4 (from 3-1) for this month to end as the coldest January on record in the UK, as the latest forecasts point to falling temperatures from Wednesday.
The firm go 2-1 for this winter to be the coldest ever in the UK.
“We’ve enjoyed some unseasonable mild temperatures over the last few days but that is set to come to a crashing end later this week. With snow and freezing temperatures on their way, we have slashed the odds in half on this month ending as a record cold January,” said Coral’s John Hill.
- Milica Cosic
Make your car visible in poor winter weather
You can be fined up to £1,000 for failing to switch your car lights on when you’re driving.
Make sure they’re all working before you set out on your journey, and turn them on if you have to get out to clear snow.
If you use fog lights, remember to switch them off when visibility improves so they don’t dazzle other drivers or obscure your brake lights.
- Milica Cosic
Urgent ice, snow and wind warnings issued
WINTER is biting back as a bitterly cold band of snow and sleet sweeps south across the UK today, with warnings for ice across swathes of the north are issued.
A bone-chilling polar plunge will blast in over the coming hours as freezing air howls southwards.
Forecaster WX Charts has predicted snow in the Highlands of Scotland and parts of Yorkshire.
But areas further south could also see snow, sleet or freezing rain, including Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool, which are due to be hit in the early hours of this morning.
Birmingham, Leicester and south Wales will see some of the grim weather at 6am, and by 9am, a stretch of the country between Essex and Devon will have to brace.
Yellow weather warnings for wind, snow and ice have already been issued for northern parts of Scotland, which will be hardest-hit, with blizzards and 70mph gales predicted.
- Milica Cosic
Claiming compensation if gas or electricity is cut off because of snow
Households who have power cut off due to the snow could be due compensation from firms.
How much you can claim depends on how long the disruption lasts – and how severe the weather is.
According to Citizens Advice, if a power cut is caused by bad weather, you’ll be entitled to £70 compensation if you’re without power for 24 hours, with another £70 paid for each of the following 12 hours up to a maximum cap of £700.
In really bad weather, the time-limit is 48 hours before compensation kicks-in – a severe storm is defined by regulator Ofgem as causing more than 12 times the average daily number of faults.
Energy expert and ex-British Gas worker Lynsey Jones shares her tips for savings on bills.
- Joseph Gamp
Cold and frosty start for Wednesday morning
- Joseph Gamp
Overnight temperatures to dip below freezing this week
Overnight temperatures from Wednesday into Thursday are expected to dip below freezing as the bitterly cold snap continues.
Met Office spokesman Richard Miles said: "It's going to be colder than we have been used to over the last couple of days and Christmas.
"We are going into a period when temperatures will be dropping quite a bit."
- Joseph Gamp
Snow blankets houses in Durham
Houses in Durham were blanketed in the white stuff this morning as dog walkers waded through the snow in Northumberland first thing.
And the bone-chilling plunge has prompted fears of travel chaos as forecasters warn of dangerous conditions on the roads.
Traffic Scotland tweeted: "Heavy snowfall affecting many routes in the North this morning including the A87, A82, A95, A9 and A90.
"Please do take extra care when travelling."
British Transport Police added: "If you’re commuting home from work in London to Bucks., or Herts., take care on the final leg of your journey."
- Joseph Gamp
London forecast for tomorrow
A breezy cold day, but with some long spells of sunshine for much of the day.
Rather cloudier with chance of a shower far western areas.
Winds will decrease later. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
- Joseph Gamp
Weather outlook for Thursday to Saturday
Frosty to start Thursday, becoming milder with strong winds and rain, snow over high ground in North.
Colder on Friday with blustery wintry showers.
Milder Saturday with outbreaks of rain.
- Joseph Gamp
Yellow ice warning for Northern Ireland
The Met Office tweeted: "Yellow weather warning issued.
"Ice across much of Northern Ireland.
"1700 Tuesday – 0900 Wednesday."
- Joseph Gamp
Weather summary for Wednesday
The Met Office has released a summary for Wednesday's weather.
Dry with sunny periods inland, but scattered showers in coastal districts in the west and east, as well as across northern Scotland, where wintry at times.
Windy in the east.
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