Britain is set to be blasted by another snow bomb bringing with it bitter -10C temperatures. The big freeze is the second to hit the nation this week after snow settled in a number of areas including Scotland right down to Essex.
But now, a low pressure system coming in against the cold air could lead to a burst of snow on Sunday, December 3 through to at least Monday, forecasters have told Express.co.uk. The Met Office said their current predictions place potential snow primarily on Monday.
“We could see some snow overnight Saturday into Sunday in the Midlands, but it’s patchy and uncertain,” said Operational Meteorologist at the Met Office, Tom Morgan. “Monday is the most likely day for disruption from snow.”
This is the result of a warmer front “bumping up” against the cold, explained Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services.
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“The main thrust of it is going through the midlands and northwards, but Wales looks like it’s in the tramlines in particular,” he said. “There could be quite a lot of snow, although some will turn into rain and sleet. But it won’t effect anywhere below the M4.”
He clarified that it was “very marginal” and predictions could rapidly change over the weekend. “Norway’s turned very cold and snow-laden to hell,” he added. “That doesn’t always happen that this time of year.
“Once you establish that, and then we get a north easterly airstream like we’ve had, we’re importing it. We’ve imported some of that Scandinavian snow.”
The recent cold snap is an example of nature’s balance, Mr Dale explained. “We had a very wet, mild, warm autumn until the end the November. Nature has a way of balancing things out over time.
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“You can bet your bottom dollar that if you walk in a field and its wet and muddy everywhere – next week it’s the opposite, you’ve got dry, you’ve got frosty, you’ve got crunchy.”
What is more certain than snow is that Saturday and Sunday are bound to be very cold for those in the rest of the country – especially for Brits in the north of England and Scotland.
A “freezing fog” is liable to settle in, the meteorologist said, with brutally low temperatures predicted for the Highlands and other exposed areas such as Cumbria in the north west.
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The mercury in these parts could fall between 10 and 12C, experts predicted – although the rest of the country is hardly better off, with lows of -6C and -7C. Highs will scarcely make it above freezing, at around 2C.
One map shows snow covering Britain everywhere above London. And it is forecast to settle before receding northwards on Tuesday morning.
“There is potential of several days of frost and ice potential across the UK,” Mr Morgan said. “Very cold nights this weekend. It will likely be below freezing wherever you are.”
He urged Brits who are heading out driving to pick up Christmas trees or shopping for presents to be mindful of ice on the roads, particularly minor roads that might not have been gritted. It’s also best to stay in touch with your local forecast to be aware of when it is safest to drive, he said.
The Met Office has placed yellow warnings for snow and ice across the east coast of the UK and in the northwest from 5pm Friday until 11am on Saturday.
But for those dreading more freezing nights, temperatures are looking to improve as the week progresses – and more milder climes should resume by Wednesday.
Jason Nicholls, Lead International Forecaster at Accuweather, told Express.co.uk: “The colder than usual pattern will likely continue into early next week but temperatures may moderate a bit closer to normal around midweek. There is a better chance for milder weather to return late next week.
“Overall, the pattern looks milder for much of December after early next week but there is some concern for a shot of cold air in late December or early January.”
He added the timing of this is “uncertain”, however.
Met Office five day forecast
Today:
Frosty start with any freezing fog patches slow to clear. Otherwise a fine, but cold day with sunny spells. However, occasional showers, wintry at times, will move into some coastal parts of Kent, with the odd one spreading further inland. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
Tonight:
Very cold with clear spells and widespread frost. Wintry showers into eastern coastal areas increasingly staying offshore, with some icy patches possible on untreated surfaces. Freezing fog patches developing inland. Minimum temperature -4 °C.
Saturday:
Another very cold, frosty morning with freezing fog patches slow to clear. Staying cold, and most parts dry with sunny spells. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Cold start Sunday, with chance of rain, perhaps brief hill snow, spreading east. Monday and Tuesday uncertain, but likely turning a little less cold, with rain and strong winds possible.
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