Brits are set for an Arctic blast bringing freezing temperatures with weather maps showing 72 hours of snow – The UK will be hit by a big freeze with temperatures plummeting to -4C in some parts of the country
Brits are bracing for a chilling Arctic blast that’s set to bring freezing temperatures and a 72-hour snowfall. Despite the mild week we’ve had thanks to southwesterly air, things have taken a turn with cold air sweeping in from the northwest.
The mercury has dropped and it’s expected to stay low over the next few days and into the weekend. BBC weatherman Ben Rich gave us a glimpse of what’s to come on Thursday saying: “We are all into these cold north or northwesterly winds up to 40mph or more quite widely. One or two showers in these western and northern parts, some of those wintry over higher ground. Top temperatures of 5C to 9C but when we factor in the strength of the winds it will feel a little colder than that.”
And it seems the snow isn’t going anywhere soon, with WXCharts predicting flurries across parts of the country from 9am today until 3pm on Sunday.
Most of the snow is expected to fall in the north west and central parts of Scotland, with possible flurries in north and central Wales. Sunday looks set to see even more snowfall, with most of Scotland, Wales and north west England under snow clouds.
The Met Office’s forecast echoes this, stating: “Many inland areas will see a cold, but sunny day on Thursday, with temperatures feeling chilly thanks to a brisk northwesterly breeze. Frequent showers, which may be wintry at times, are likely in central and northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and western parts of England.”, reports the Mirror.
The Met Office is predicting a “widespread frost” come Friday morning and the weekend doesn’t look much better with forecasters warning of incoming wet weather and howling gales. “Rain will also move in on Saturday, with the highest accumulations in the northwest, followed by frequent heavy showers which will turn increasingly wintry on higher ground later,” so says the Met Office.
“A covering of snow is possible for some hills and mountains as far south as the Peak District by Sunday morning. Sunday brings a mix of sunny intervals, blustery showers, and perhaps longer spells of rain in the north. Showers will be most frequent and heavy in northern and western areas, falling as a wintry mix of sleet and snow for some. Gales are expected in exposed parts of the north and west, with windchill making temperatures feel rather cool.”
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to pass to the north of Scotland on Saturday, heading towards southwest Norway. Yellow wind warnings are currently in place across northern and western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where there’s a small chance of gusts in excess of 80mph across parts of the Hebrides, Orkney, and parts of the north and west Scottish mainland coast.”
“Delays or cancellations to sea and air transport are possible given these winds, amongst other impacts. More generally however, gusts of 60-75mph are likely and when coinciding with daytime travel in the busier pre-Christmas period, may cause some travel disruption.”