BRITAIN will welcome in 2022 after the warmest New Year's Eve on record, forecasters say – but much of the UK is under flood warnings.
Temperatures are set to be "exceptionally mild" this week before hitting a balmy 15C on Friday – warmer than April, when the mercury hovers at an average of 14C.
ALMOST 50 flood warnings have been issued across Britain as river banks burst after heavy downpours ahead of a balmy New Year's Eve.
Amazingly, the weather will be as good on the south coast and in the south-east as it is in Athens, Madrid and Rhodes.
And if predictions are correct, it'll be hotter in those areas than the record-breaking 14.8C recorded in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, in 2011.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
- Milica Cosic
Temperatures this morning
The Met Office have said that there's going to be heavy rain moving across the northeast this morning.
Cold ahead of this, with temperatures below freezing across northern #Scotland.
However, it will be exceptionally mild in the southwest.
- Milica Cosic
A new record for New Years
Temperatures are set to be "exceptionally mild" this week before hitting 15C on Friday – warmer than April, when the mercury hovers at an average of 14C.
It means the country will enjoy similar conditions to southern European hotspots like Madrid and Athens.
And if predictions are correct, it'll be hotter in those areas than the record-breaking 14.8C recorded in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, in 2011.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "The record is 14.8C on New Year’s Eve and that was in 2011. For the rest of this week, temperatures will be above average for this time of year."
- Milica Cosic
FIFTY flood warnings issued across Britain
Almost 50 flood warnings have been issued across Britain as river banks burst after heavy downpours ahead of a balmy New Year's Eve.
Although Brits can expect warmer temperatures, the Met Office has issued dozens of flood warnings for England – largely concentrated in the Midlands, South West and South East.
It means flooding is "possible" in 44 areas across the UK and Brits should be ready for the aftermath of heavy downpours.
The Met Office said the rain would continue to fall all week.
- Milica Cosic
Exact date snow will begin in the New Year
The UK is expected to have the warmest New Years Eve since 2011 before the cold takes reign once again.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden told The Mirror: “Further snow events are likely particularly during the first half of January.”
A “white Christmas” was declared this year even though the snow only took hold around parts of the country on Christmas day – and it’s predicted those cooler temperatures will be back in January.
WXCharts show temperatures will drop down close to freezing on Monday and Tuesday for much off England and Wales.
- Louis Allwood
Exact date snow will begin in the New Year
The UK is expected to have the warmest New Years Eve since 2011 before the cold takes reign once again.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden told The Mirror: "Further snow events are likely particularly during the first half of January."
A "white Christmas" was declared this year even though the snow only took hold around parts of the country on Christmas day – and it's predicted those cooler temperatures will be back in January.
WXCharts show temperatures will drop down close to freezing on Monday and Tuesday for much off England and Wales.
- Louis Allwood
First 10 days of January 2022 forecast
On Saturday, New Year's Day, rain is likely to move east and northeast across the UK, followed by showers.
The wettest weather further north and west, with the southeast remaining drier. Strong winds are expected in the west, and it will continue to be very mild.
Thereafter, the unsettled weather will continue to dominate, with Atlantic weather systems moving in from the west, interspersed with showery and brighter spells.
The wettest areas are expected to be western hills, with the southeast remaining driest.
It will also continue to be windy, with gales possible along western coasts.
Temperatures likely mild or very mild at first, but returning closer to average into the new year. There is the chance of a brief settled spell towards the end of the period.
- Louis Allwood
Weather outlook tonight
London weather
A mostly dry night with the cloud gradually breaking up, misty conditions possible under clear skies in the early hours of the morning. Rain approaching from the west by dawn. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Cardiff weather tonight
Largely dry this evening and turning rather chilly for a time. Temperatures climbing by the early hours though as rain arrives from the southwest. Becoming windier in places later. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
- Louis Allwood
North African tropical plume set to sweep Britain
A balmy plume from North Africa will sweep Britain from tomorrow meaning the mercury could reach 15C on the last day of 2021.
Amazingly, the weather will be as good on the south coast and in the south-east as it is in Athens, Madrid and Rhodes.
And if predictions are correct, it’ll be hotter in those areas than the record-breaking 14.8C recorded in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, in 2011.
The 15.6C record for New Year’s Eve logged in Great Yarmouth, in 1901, could also tumble.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “The record for both days could go.
“It’s time for people to put on t-shirts and flip-flops and get the picnic tables out.
“This will last for about five days, after which we expect to pay for it with the cold to return.
“This is by no means the end of winter.”
- Louis Allwood
What to do if you find yourself aquaplaning
Aquaplaning – skidding on water – occurs when a wedge of water forms in front of the tyre and lifts it up off the road surface.
If you feel your car losing grip with the road, gently ease off the accelerator but don't brake.
Have a firm grip of the steering wheel and be sure not to make any sudden steering actions.
The car will eventually regain its grip as water clears from the road.
- Louis Allwood
'DON'T drive in the rain like you would in the dry'
Rodney Kumar, spokesman for IAM RoadSmart, said: "Your car will take a lot longer to come to a stop in an emergency, so don’t drive the same way you would in the dry.
"Keep your speed down – many crashes in rain could be avoided if people didn’t drive at the speed as they might do in clear conditions.
"Use your headlights and get those tyres checked – they are your car’s only contact with the road, and grip is especially critical in the wet.
“A general rule of thumb for flooding is if the water is six inches or more deep (that’s half the length of a school ruler), then you should not drive through it.
"And finally, keep an eye out for pedestrians rushing to get to school or work – you might hate the rain, but they do even more.”
- Louis Allwood
Rest of the week looking mild
Meteorologist at the Met Office Annie Shuttleworth said temperatures were forecast to be creeping up through the week.
“I think by Wednesday and Thursday we’ll have fairly exceptionally mild temperatures at least across central and southern England.
“And further north they’ll be warmer than average.”
By Thursday and Friday in London, the weather is forecast to be windy but very mild with further spells of rain but also drier interludes.
- Louis Allwood
You could be fined £50 for not using dipped headlights
According to the Highway Code, motorists are required to use dipped headlights whenever visibility is seriously reduced.
Reduced visibility is generally considered when you are unable to see for more than 100 metres (328 feet) ahead of you.
Failing to use the appropriate dipped lights when visibility is reduced could land you a £50 on-the-spot fine if stopped by police.
Drivers should also be careful when using their front or rear fog lights as they can have a dangerous impact on other motorists.
- Louis Allwood
Clean your windows and lights before driving in the snow
Every glass panel used to see from and even your head and tail lights need to be scrubbed of ice and condensation to ensure you are within the law.
The RAC says: “The Highway Code stipulates that if driving in adverse weather conditions you must, by law, be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle.
“This is supported by the section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988, meaning it is a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road ahead before you set off.
“Failure to do so could incur a fine, but more importantly could place your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of those around you in danger.
“This also means ensuring your windscreen is de-iced on the outside and thoroughly demisted on the inside.”
- Louis Allwood
Explained: 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.
- Louis Allwood
"Worst cold ever"
The so-called “worst cold ever” appeared to begin spreading at the end of summer.
Experts said an immunity debt, owing to months in lockdown, meant common colds felt particularly bad.
The NHS lists says a common cold can cause:
- A blocked or runny nose
- A sore throat
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Coughs
- Sneezing
- A raised temperature
- Pressure in your ears and face
- Loss of taste and smell
The difference between a cold and the flu is that a cold does not typically cause such a sudden spike in temperature.
There may be more blockage in the sinuses and a feeling of stuffiness, as opposed to flu which is more like a total body fatigue.
- Louis Allwood
How do the next few days look
Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: “The weather has been pretty topsy-turvy.
“We’ve had a white Christmas – and now we’re going to see it get warmer.
“It’s going to be exceptionally mild in the coming days and could be as high as 15C on New Year’s Eve.
“If that’s the case, then another record will fall.”
- Louis Allwood
ALWAYS check your battery before heading off
With harsh weather conditions and snow in many parts of the country, this may be hard on your battery and the electrical system.
On a cold day, the engine in a car takes more effort to “turn over”, which puts extra strain on the battery and the starter motor.
What’s more, cold weather significantly affects how much electricity your battery can send out to the starter motor in the first place.
If you’ve noticed your car sounding reluctant to start in summer and autumn, consider buying a new battery now – before the car refuses to turn over on a frosty morning when you’re late for work.
You can buy a car battery and fit it at home, but most stockists will fit it for you. They might also check the “health” of your existing battery and tell you if it needs to be replaced.
- Louis Allwood
Why won't my car start in the cold?
Not unlike humans needing layers of clothes to brave low temperatures, cars also need a little preparation to get going.
When cars won't start, it's often because their engine oil has thickened in the cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the starter motor to spin the engine.
Cold, damp weather can sometimes play havoc on batteries as vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder.
The RAC says the majority of their winter call-outs are to do with car batteries.
- Louis Allwood
How to drive safely in heavy rain and flooding
Driving in the rain can be dangerous and risky, so make sure you follow this advice and prepare your car in advance of your journey.
Before you set off, also be sure to check your windscreen wipers are working and your tyres have plenty of tread on them as a priority.
Heavy rain – The most important thing to remember when driving in rain is your stopping distance will be increased significantly.
Flooding – Wherever possible, you should always avoid driving over a flooded road. However, if the water is still, and no more than six inches deep, it's usually okay to drive slowly through it.
Aquaplaning – skidding on water – occurs when a wedge of water forms in front of the tyre and lifts it up off the road surface. If you feel your car losing grip with the road, gently ease off the accelerator but don't brake.
- Louis Allwood
Milder this week
Temperatures are set to be "exceptionally mild" this week before hitting the warmer temperatures on Friday often seen in Spring.
Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: "The weather has been pretty topsy-turvy.
"We've had a white Christmas – and now we're going to see it get warmer."
In its update to weather watchers today, the Met Office said an area of low pressure moving east across England and Wales this morning would bring some heavy rain in places and strong winds in the south. Travellers were advised to be aware of some localised surface water on the roads
People were also encouraged take extra care due to wind sweeping through parts
- Louis Allwood
How heating your home could CAUSE mould and damage
Tim Fenner at Timberwise, which specialises in property care, says some things as easy as not drying your clothes on the radiator can make a big difference.
He told Bristol Live: “Condensation is a real problem, and it’s by far the most common form of dampness in homes in the UK. Because of the weather we have it can be difficult to keep the inside of a home warm and dry.
“Especially in winter when people are drying their clothes and trying to keep the costs of heating down and so they keep the house cold and turn on the heating only when necessary.
“The heating goes off and the house cools down. The water that has evaporated when it was warm had to go somewhere and it went into the atmosphere of the house.
"As the house cools down the water condenses in areas that begin to get damp, which leads to mould.
“The warmer the air the more moisture it can hold, so it’s a particular problem in the winter when people start using their central heating.”
A damp home is the perfect environment for mould to grow on the walls and surfaces.
Damp is commonly caused by humidity, which can occur for many reasons, from weeks of rain outside to constantly having clothes washing, cooking or clothes drying in the home.
- Louis Allwood
Thursday to Saturday outlook
Exceptionally mild. Unsettled with spells of rain and strong winds but also some decent drier and brighter interludes.
Rain heaviest and most persistent over western hills.
- Louis Allwood
11th to 25th of January
There is the potential for a short-lived settled spell to start this period, which would mean cooler and drier weather but also an increased risk of overnight fog and frost.
Later in the month, milder but more unsettled weather is expected to return, with the associated hazards of strong winds and heavy rain.
- Louis Allwood
This evenings forecast
Rain looks set to ease this afternoon but it will remain cloudy.
Southwest have a chance of brighter spells.
- Louis Allwood
Should I leave my car running to warm it up?
Avoid doing this if you can.
Leaving your car engine going before you start driving doesn’t actually help the engine, but just ramps up your fuel use and emissions.
Cars older than 20 years do need warming up to get going in the cold weather.
But most modern engines adjust their temperature accordingly, so car experts say you shouldn’t leave your car running for more than 30 seconds before driving.
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