Arctic Cold Spell Could Bring Snow, Freezing Temperatures, and Storms Across the UK

The UK is set to experience its coldest temperatures in 14 years, with the Met Office warning of a dramatic drop as Arctic air sweeps across the country. Temperatures could plummet as low as -15C in parts of Scotland, bringing a harsh freeze and heavy snowfall to many regions.

This cold spell, which has already lasted several days, is expected to continue until Friday, with a potential shift to stormier weather over the weekend. The last time temperatures were recorded this low was in January 2010, when the UK saw a chilling -22.3C. Snow is expected to accumulate, particularly in Scotland’s higher ground, where up to 40cm could fall by Friday. In lower areas, around 5-10cm of snow is forecast.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in Scotland, northern England, and parts of Wales. These warnings will remain in place until Thursday, with a more mild, wet, and windy weekend forecast as the cold snap comes to an end. As the snow begins to melt, there may be further weather warnings due to potential flooding and strong winds.

School closures have been reported across Scotland, and drivers have encountered treacherous conditions in parts of north-west England, including Merseyside, Cheshire, and Cumbria. The Met Office highlighted that some areas could experience snow flurries in the south as a weather system moves across the country.

The prolonged nature of the cold spell is due to the direct flow of Arctic air, which has caused temperatures to be 5-6C lower than usual for this time of year. While the cold will ease by the weekend, a dramatic shift in weather patterns is expected, bringing stormy conditions and potentially disruptive impacts.

The Government has confirmed that thousands of vulnerable households in England and Wales are eligible for cold weather payments to help with heating costs, with areas such as Cumbria, Oxfordshire, and Yorkshire set to benefit.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold-health alert, stressing the risks to health and social care sectors, while National Highways has put out a severe weather alert for snow in north-west England. Road users are advised to prepare for potential disruptions, with some rural communities facing the risk of being cut off temporarily. Train services are also expected to be affected throughout the week.