UK weather forecast – Brits to be pummelled by icy 80mph winds and snow today sparking travel chaos

The wild weather conditions could spell chaos for commuters with delays expected on roads and railways.


A 'severe' Yellow weather warning for ice has also been issued by the Met Office for the north-east of Scotland.

It comes after blustery showers swept across the country on Sunday with a top wind speed of 82 mph reported at Berry Head in Devon.

Weather forecasters warn of sub-zero temperatures this week and freezing air blowing from the North Pole which will bring the most low-level snow the UK has seen this winter.

The Met Office yellow snow warning says to expect heavy snow overnight on Tuesday, continuing into Wednesday.

Snowfall could even hit the North East and North West as early as today, followed by widespread rain from Wednesday in northern areas.

There is a chance of delays on the roads as a result of the extreme weather conditions, which could leave passengers and vehicles stranded.

Next week looks like bringing further very cold weather and snow which could affect much of the country.

Cancellations of railway services and flights are also possible.

Rural communities across the South East could become cut off and power cuts could occur.

Freezing cold winds reaching speeds of 70mph are likely to sweep across North East England, especially in coastal areas, this week.

The Met Office said: "Staying cold, with potential for disruptive snow in central and southern areas Tuesday into Wednesday, then perhaps more widespread rain and snow on Thursday.

"Some severe overnight frosts too."

SNOW PLOUGHS AT THE READY

In preparation for the heavy snow Heathrow Airport has 185 now ploughs on standby and Gatwick airport has followed suit with 98 snow ploughs and snow-blowers at the ready.

Network Rail has also begun preparations, with 34 de-icing trains prepared to clear the way – plus 2,000 gritters are ready to take to the streets.

With the mercury set to fall to as low as -6C in England this week and lows of -14C are expected in parts of Scotland.

Forecaster Simon Partridge said: "A cold week ahead started on Sunday with a straight northerly, with air coming all the way from north of Greenland, near the North Pole.

"Snow is likely to lower levels at times, perhaps moreso than during cold weather so far.

"-10C is certainly possible each night from Sunday for most of the week over lying snow in Scotland. We'll have to wait to see if we get -11C. England could see -6C.

"Wintry showers may fall on Monday and Tuesday near north east and north west coasts. Tuesday sees a snow risk over the southern half of the UK.

"Wednesday has wintry showers in the north west, with further snow from Thursday in the north.

"It stays cold certainly until mid-February, with the risk of snow and ice and the chance of easterly winds."

FOUR INCHES OF SNOW

According to weather forecasters monitoring the week ahead, thick cloud will blanket the UK from the south of England to the north of Scotland – unleashing a deluge of dreary rain.

The north west of England will see around 4in (12cm) of snow and even parts of the south east, including London, will get a dusting of about an inch (2.5cm).

By Sunday next week though things will have gotten even worse – especially over the hills of Scotland where more than 13in (34cm) is set to fall.

And by the following morning, the north of England will also be blanketed in up to 10in (26cm) of snow – likely to make for difficult travel conditions.

Exacta Weather’s James Madden said: “Next week looks like bringing further very cold weather and snow which could affect much of the country.

“Some of this snowfall could be heavy and towards the middle of next week there is the potential for some disruption due to the weather.

“We can expect more of the same through the rest of the month and through much of February.”

Overnight temperatures will widely sink below freezing through next week while daytime highs struggle to rise much above low single figures.

Icy winds over lying snow could make it feel close to -11C (12.2F) in parts of the north later this weekend – with "feel-like" temperatures of freezing forecast across the south.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: "The start of next week will be on the cold side with the potential for more snow in parts of the UK.

“Monday will see a mix of rain, sleet and snow quite widely as the weather returns to being more wintry.

“We are expecting very low overnight temperatures which could sink below -10C (14F) where there is lying snow, frosts and the risk of ice.

“The cold weather looks set to continue into February when there is a risk of a more easterly weather pattern developing.”

Britons could be shivering in unusually cold conditions through the rest of winter and into spring, according to some long-range experts.





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