The Met Office has warned we could see the coldest day of the winter with the possibility of parts of the UK recording -15C – and the potential for four more days of weather warnings with snow, ice and flooding. Warnings are in force for wintry hazards in parts of the UK and there could be more warnings right through next weekend.
National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are in place for the week, and are likely to be updated.
Temperatures expected to drop to -3°C in some areas today. Met Office Chief Forecaster, Jason Kelly, said: “With cold weather persisting across the UK this week we have a number of severe weather warnings for wintry hazards. Snow showers will continue to fall over Scotland, Northern Ireland and into Northern Wales and northern England too. Where surface water and snow freeze overnight there is a risk of ice as temperatures widely dip below freezing. There will however be good spells of sunshine for those away from northern coasts, though it’ll still feel cold in the northerly breeze.”
With heavy rain and snow melt combining there is an ongoing flood risk in parts of the country. Stefan Laeger, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The recent heavy rain combined with melting snow means it is probable significant river flooding will continue in Leicestershire today, with minor river flooding probable in some other parts of the country, continuing through to Thursday for some larger rivers.
“Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.
“We urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days and advise anyone travelling to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should search ‘ check my flood risk ’, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the latest situation at @EnvAgency on X.”
On Wednesday afternoon there is the chance of some snowfall in parts of southern England for a time. Jason explains: “Weather conditions will start to change from the southwest on Wednesday, with fronts from the Atlantic bringing milder air along with moisture. As this moisture encounters the cold air, snowfall is expected particularly over higher ground and away from the coast. However, there is still uncertainty about how far north these fronts will reach. They could either skirt the south or move into southern England”
He continued: “Currently, a snow warning is in place, but it is not guaranteed. The situation is being closely monitored. As the forecast is finely balanced, do stay up to date with the latest forecast for your area.”
Thursday and Friday will bring continued low temperatures with snow and ice warnings likely to be issued as confidence in the most likely impacted areas increases. Fronts moving in from the southwest on Friday and Saturday bring the potential for more snow, with the possibility of further warnings.
Deputy Chief Forecaster, Chris Almond, said: “Thursday will see another cold night, with potentially the lowest temperatures of the Winter so far, -15°C or so is possible 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.”
“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, with conditions further south and east drier and more settled.”