UK weather forecast LIVE – Temperatures to reach balmy 17C by next weekend as the UK’s record-breaking Big Freeze ends
- UK snow map: Where has it snowed and will it settle?
- Storm names 2021: What is the next storm to hit the UK?
TEMPERATURES could rise as high as 17C by next weekend as the UK's record-breaking Big Freeze - thankfully - comes to an end.
In a sudden switch from snow and sub-zero temperatures during Beast from the East Two, following Storm Darcy, the mercury will soar back up to double digits from Monday.
That'll bring much-needed relief for locked-down Brits.
All of the UK will be basking in a "warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 11-12C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before," says Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong.
And by next Sunday the mercury could soar as high as 17C with forecasters expecting temperatures “way above average for this time of year.”
Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather said: "We’re starting to draw up more of a southerly flow of wind and that will start to drag up some of the warmer air from north Africa and Spain, which will push across westerly Europe and across parts of the United Kingdom."
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
RAIN ON THE WAY
South-westerly winds will make it mild on Monday, which is good news for Brits shivering through days of snow and ice.
While it will be dry for many, there is rain on the way for Tuesday, says Sky News.
TEMPERATURES COULD REACH 17C BY SUNDAY
By Sunday the mercury could soar as high as 17C with meteorologist expecting temperatures "way above average for this time of year."
Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather said: "We’re starting to draw up more of a southerly flow of wind and that will start to drag up some of the warmer air from North-Africa and Spain which will push across westerly Europe and in across parts of the United Kingdom."
FLOOD RISK
Flood warnings are in place across the country as temperatures leap after UK's record-breaking Big Freeze comes to an end.
The Environment Agency has six flood warnings and 61 flood alerts for England.
Around the River Hull, for example, more rainfall and snowmelt is expected on Monday night, which is expected to keep levels high.
The EA advises: "Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."
MILDER WEATHER FROM THIS MORNING
TOMORROW'S FORECAST
The Met Office said: "Rain will be slow to clear the southeast.
"Elsewhere sunshine and showers are expected, these frequent and heavy in the west and northwest.
"Windy with gales in the northwest. Mild."
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
The Met Office added: "Further cloud and rain moving northeast across all parts.
"Some heavy rain expected over hills of the west.
"Becoming windy with gales developing in the northwest. Mild and frost free."
TODAY'S FORECAST
The Met Office said: "Rain across the southeast will clear by late morning.
"Low cloud and fog elsewhere also slowly clearing by midday, then all parts seeing sunny intervals, but with showers in the west, heavy in the northwest.
"Much milder than recently. Breezy."
SPRINGTIME FEEL AS MERCURY RISES TO 17C THIS WEEK
The mercury could rise to 17C by next weekend as the UK's record-breaking Big Freeze finally comes to a welcome end.
“Saturday and Sunday, particularly Sunday, parts of eastern England will see temperatures as high as 17C, way above average for the time of year, and that warmth will last into Sunday as well," according to Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather.
83MPH WINDS IN SCOTLAND ON VALENTINE'S DAY
South Uist - the second-largest island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland - was smashed by 83mph gusts on Sunday afternoon.
Valentine's Day was another cold day in the east with some freezing rain in the northeast, reports the Met Office.
Milder, but wet and windy weather gradually edged across the UK from the west during the day.
MIX OF SHOWERS, SUN & WIND FOR MONDAY
Monday morning will see scattered showers clearing from south-eastern England, says Meteo Group UK.
A few scattered showers are possible across western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Some showers will move into Wales and Cornwall later on Monday, but it will be mainly dry elsewhere with spells of sunshine and "gentle southerly winds".
BRITS TO ENJOY MILDER WEATHER ON MONDAY - 11C BY 10AM
There will be milder weather from Monday morning, says the Met Office on Twitter.
Most of us will wake up to cloudy skies however, with temperatures ranging from 5C to 11C by 10am.
Tomorrow will see showers in the northwest and rain in the southeast.
Monday's temperatures are ranging from 5C to 11C by 10am POSTIE STILL HASN'T APOLOGISED TO INJURED WOMAN AFTER FALL
The upset family of a pensioner with bone disease left lying in the snow for 20 minutes by a postman have revealed he still hasn't apologised.
Patricia Stewart, 72, said the Royal Mail worker watched her fall during the coldest February since 1955 then walked off claiming he was "too knackered" to help.
Shocking footage shows him looking down at the gran-of-two saying "I can't help you pal", despite her pleas for assistance.
Her niece and carer Sheryl Harkins told : "He could have contacted me to apologise but he hasn't.
"Another postman told me he doesn't think he has done anything wrong."
The moment the postie leaves the dazed and injured senior in the snow YELLOW WARNING STILL IN PLACE TONIGHT
The Met Office still has a yellow weather warning in place for tonight.
Strong winds are likely until nearly midnight on Sunday, it adds.
That means large waves for some coastal locations and causeways.
TEMPS COULD LEAP TO 17C BY THE WEEKEND
Temperatures in the UK could rise as high as 17C by next weekend as the UK's record-breaking Big Freeze comes to an end.
In a sudden switch from snow and sub-zero temperatures during Beast from the East II, the mercury will soar back to double digits from tomorrow.
The Met Office's chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: "From Monday the whole UK will be in the warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 11-12C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before.”
And by Sunday the mercury could soar as high as 17C with meteorologists expecting temps “way above average for this time of year.”
Chris Fawkes from BBC Weather said: "We’re starting to draw up more of a southerly flow of wind and that will start to drag up some of the warmer air from north Africa and Spain which will push across westerly Europe and in across parts of the UK."
RECORD-BREAKING TEMPS FOR UK AS MERCURY PLUMMETS TO -23C
The coldest UK temperature for 65 years was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday night, when the mercury plunged to minus 23C!
A record low temperature for February was also recorded in England and Wales when temperatures in Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, dropped to -15.3C overnight on Thursday.
The chilly conditions froze Trafalgar Square's fountains and brought large amounts of snowfall to regions across the country.
UK'S COLD SNAP COMES TO AN END - WATCH OUT FOR BIG MELT
Temperatures will begin to increase from Monday, with the mercury spiking to 13C across England.
But, Met Office forecaster Luke Miall warned the weather will be "quite wet and windy" for most of this week.
He added: "We will be hovering between 7C to 12C, I suspect, through Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday.
"Most of the snow will start melting early in the week, with the exception being Scotland because they have had so much of it."
NEARLY 70 FLOOD ALERTS FOR ENGLAND
The has six flood warnings and 61 flood alerts for England.
Around the River Hull, for example, more rainfall and snowmelt is expected today, February 14, and on Monday night, which is expected to keep levels high.
The EA advises: "Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."
Melting snow and ice, following days of rain, is also causing groundwater to rise in other areas.
DOUBLE FIGURE TEMPS IN NORTHERN IRELAND TODAY
As forecast, milder air has arrived across Northern Ireland with temperatures "well into double figures", reports the Met Office.
It hit an impressive 13.2C on Sunday in NI.
But parts of Scotland have only just got above freezing this afternoon!
Highs and lows of Sunday RAIN ON THE WAY FOR TUESDAY
South-westerly winds will make it mild on Monday, which is good news for Brits shivering through days of snow and ice.
While it will be dry for many, there is rain on the way for Tuesday, says Sky News.
LONDON FORECAST FOR TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW:
The evening sees a milder temperature coming from the west through the night, but it is still disturbed by rain and strong winds.
Drier but still cloudy, murky in western parts before dawn. Minimum temperature 1C.
By Monday, the rain soon clears to the east but is followed by low clouds, mist and patchy drizzle.
It brings a brighter, drier afternoon but perhaps remaining largely cloudy in the southernmost counties. Noticeably milder. Maximum temperature 13C.
DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A COLD WEATHER PAYMENT?
COLD weather payments give low-income households a £25 boost if they’ve experienced freezing temperatures - we explain how it works.
Storm Darcy - dubbed the Beast from the East II - has been causing chaos across Britain, bringing howling blizzards from Russia to the UK.
Snow warnings are in place until Sunday after Britain suffered its coldest February night in 74 years overnight, with temperatures of -20C recorded in Kinbrace, Scotland.
With the freezing weather sticking around for a while longer, households on certain benefits will want to keep an eye on their thermostats in case they become eligible for a cold weather payment.
WHEN WILL THE CHILL LAST UNTIL?
Chilly conditions could last until the start of March, BBC forecasters have said.
They said: "The first half of March, which is also the start of meteorological spring, will likely see a gradual shift in the weather pattern.
"We expect the colder, more blocked weather pattern with abundant high pressure to stick around for at least the first week of March," they said.
This creates an environment colder and drier than usual, but there is uncertainty on the position of the high.
"If conditions line up perfectly, as they did in early February, we could see a return of a very cold easterly blast."
SNAKES AND SPIDERS DUMPED
Locked-down families, many hit by redundancy, are dumping jungle snakes, spiders and other exotic pets to freeze to death in parks, on street corners and in the countryside to cut costs.
Hissing serpents, including pythons and boas, and even poisonous creepy-crawlies are being abandoned in the icy temperatures across Britain.
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Phil Lewis said today "We completely understand that we are currently enduring some uncertain and difficult times.
"However, there is no excuse to abandon an animal. Please call us for help and advice."
CHECK UP
Public Health England has extended its cold weather alert through the weekend and has urged people to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours.
Dr Owen Landeg, group leader for extreme events and health protection at PHE, said: "Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
"Make a call, or socially-distanced doorstep visit if they live close by, to remind them to heat their home to at least 18C, 64.4F, and to keep up to date with the forecast.
"It's also helpful to check they have enough food and drinks and any medicines they need."
'BITTERLY COLD'
Met Office forecaster Luke Miall said: "It's going to be a bitterly cold day. Certainly where you've got freezing rain and ice, combined with those strong winds."
Overnight temperatures dopped to minus 8C in Scotland and between minus 1C and minus 5C in England and Wales.
Daytime temperatures will hover around 2C in eastern areas, increasing to 11C in south-west England.