Brits have been warned that they could experience the coldest January night in 15 years this evening, with temperatures dropping to -15C.
An amber warning for snow is in place covering much of the southwest until 9pm this evening. Yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, while a yellow warning for snow covers parts of southern England.
The Met Office warned that more sleet or snow is expected this week, with temperatures dropping to -15C or -16C this evening. The areas facing the coldest conditions – and the lowest temperatures of the winter so far – are Scotland and northern England.
Met Office’s ‘bitter’ snow warning means UK faces ‘coldest January night for 15 YEARS’
Tonight could be the coldest night in 15 years
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The latest weather maps from WXCharts show that the whole country will face harsh conditions starting from 9pm tonight, with freezing weather lasting for the whole night until Thursday morning. Areas along the Pennines and the Scottish Highlands are expected to experience lows of up to -16C, but most of the country will also face temperatures in negative figures.
Throughout the night, all over the UK the mercury will remain in single digits, with highs of 3C expected in parts of southern England. As much as 18cm is expected in the Scottish Highlands, while northern parts of England and Wales could see 10cm to 12cm. Oli Claydon, a spokesman for the Met Office, said it will be “bitterly cold” on Thursday night.
The cold will continue throughout the night
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Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: “With low temperatures persisting across southwestern parts of England, sleet or snow will fall to low levels in parts of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset through Wednesday afternoon and evening. At locations above 150 m, 2-5 cm is possible, but over the higher ground of Dartmoor and Exmoor up to 10 cm could accumulate.
“More widely across southern England, a dusting of snow, up to a couple of centimetres, is possible as the system moves eastwards. The snow could cause some disruption to the transport network during this evening’s rush hour.”
Areas in the Pennines and in the Scottish Highlands will experience the coldest conditions
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The Met Office said more weather warnings could be issued later this week as fronts moving in from the southwest on Friday and Saturday bring the potential for more sleet or snow. Deputy chief forecaster Christoph Almond said: “Thursday will see another cold night, with potentially the lowest temperatures of the Winter so far, -15C – possibly -16C is likely in locations with lying snow in Scotland or northern England.
“In the early hours of Friday, a front arriving from the west will encounter the cold air in place over the UK. This could bring further sleet or snowfall for some regions in the south and west, as well as a risk of ice for a time as it moves north-eastwards into central parts, but the extent of this is still uncertain.”
Brits have been warned that ice could create difficult driving conditions
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He added: “By Sunday, milder air will have moved in across much of the UK, meaning rain is more likely than snow as we get to the end of the weekend. Northern Ireland and Western Scotland are most likely to see some showery outbreaks of rain and breezy conditions through Sunday and Monday, with conditions further south and east drier and more settled, but with some overnight fog and frost.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts issued on Thursday have been extended and will now run until January 12.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist. This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
Temperatures have turned icy across much of the UK
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The Met Office has issued advice for people living in the regions covered by the snow and ice warnings. The national weather agency said: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
“If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
Sleet and snow clearing the south this evening, then becoming dry overnight. Freezing fog patches forming, with icy stretches. A few wintry showers continuing in the north and west, especially near coasts. A severe frost developing.
Thursday:
Thursday will be another cold day, with plenty of sunny spells. A few fog patches lingering once more and further wintry showers possible in the north and west.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Dry for many Friday, with some sunshine, but cloudier in the far west, with patchy rain and snow. Slowly turning less cold over the weekend, but staying dry for many.