British households are being urged to stock up on essentials before temperatures plunge to a bone-chilling -19C this weekend.
The Met Office has warned that the mercury could drop to its lowest overnight in northern Scotland, while daytime temperatures will barely get above freezing during the day in large parts of the UK, reaching only 3C in London. It comes after a week of wintry weather chaos saw England, Scotland and Wales blanketed in snow, ice, frost, hail and freezing rain.
Now, British Gas has offered advice to customers on how to prepare for the icy conditions – and suggested households should have ‘three days’ worth’ of food and medicine at the ready when a big freeze is forecast. A spokesperson said: “It’s a good habit to have at least three days’ worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home.
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“That’s things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, and extra blankets. You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too.”
The energy supplier also advised households to keep doorways clear of ice and snow, trim any overhanging branches which could break under the weight of snow, and ensure boilers and heating systems are working correctly, reports the Express. A hamlet in northern Scotland dropped to -17.3C on Friday in the UK’s coldest January night in 15 years.
Altnaharra, which is in the most northern region of the Highlands, reached the temperature shortly before 8pm, the Met Office said. It is the coldest January overnight temperature since 2010, when temperatures dropped below -15C several times at locations across the UK, including -22.3C on January 8 in Altnaharra.
Forecasters said they are not expecting temperatures in the Sutherland hamlet to fall below -18C on Friday but there is a very small probability it could reach -19C. Altnaharra reached -14.5C on Thursday night.
Temperatures for large parts of the UK are set to fall again as the cold weather continues. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: “Friday night into Saturday morning may well be the nadir of this current cold spell.”
Towns and cities in Scotland could see -2C to -5C and the Highlands may reach -14C or -15C. Higher ground in England such as the Pennines could hit -11C or -12C while the coldest city in England is expected to be Birmingham, which may reach -4C. The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C, while for England, overnight lows are around 1.5C to 1.6C.
The Met Office’s latest forecast says: “Cloud and patchy rain remains in the southwest. Dry with light winds and clear spells elsewhere allowing frost and freezing fog to form. Cold again for most with a severe frost in the north. Turning less cold into the new week. Mostly dry and settled in the south, although rather cloudy. Windier in the northwest with some rain at times. Still some chilly nights.”