UK weather forecast LIVE – Temperatures to reach balmy 17C by next weekend as the UK’s record-breaking Big Freeze ends
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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
'NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS'
STRONG winds will bring near blizzard conditions as the UK is gripped in an icy chill.
And the Arctic blast is set to last a few more days.
Yellow warnings for ice and snow are in place for large parts of the country tomorrow.
SNOW PATROL
THE Met Office has issued weather alerts for most of the country today.
Amber warnings for snow are in place across parts of Scotland.
And yellow warnings for snow and ice have been placed across large parts of England.
SNOW HAVOC
THE Met Office has issued snow warnings until THURSDAY as 10 inches of the white stuff is set to blanket parts of Britain.
Towns could become “cut off” as Storm Darcy wreaks havoc across the UK - with travel chaos expected.
Storm Darcy - dubbed the 'Beast from the East II' - has brought howling blizzards from Russia to the UK, with swathes of the country experiencing heavy snowfall
A VERY COLD WEEK AHEAD - MET OFFICE
MET OFFICE FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
MORE SNOW TO HIT UK THIS WEEK
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The UK is in for a notably cold and snowy period over the next week, with very cold air in place over the whole of the UK.”
Snow began to accumulate yesterday – but plenty more is expected, he warned.
“We could see 5-10cm of snow quite widely, with a chance that a few places could see 20cm or more,” he said.
EASTERLY WINDS WILL FEEL LIKE 'IT'S WELL BELOW FREEZING' TUESDAY MORNING
The Met Office tweeted that Easterly winds "will make it feel like it's well below freezing on Tuesday morning."
"Snow showers affecting many eastern areas, heaviest in central Scotland, where some significant disruption is likely."
POLICE WARN DRIVERS NOT TO TRAVEL DUE TO 'IMPASSABLE SNOW'
Earlier today, police forces in parts of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex told drivers not to travel as roads became "impassable" due to settled snow.
Road closures were announced in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire and Hertfordshire.
Suffolk Highways said conditions were "worsening", comparing the recent weather to the "Beast from the East" of 2018.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS IN PLACE UNTIL WEDNESDAY
A yellow weather warning for snow remains in place across the country until midnight on Wednesday, with the Met Office warning “frequent snow showers may lead to travel disruption in places”.
The alert covers most of the South East of England, as well as the Midlands, the North East and most of Scotland.
Meanwhile, a separate amber warning covers central parts of Scotland tomorrow, with up to 10 inches of snow forecast.
And temperatures are expected to plummet below 0C for most of the UK overnight.
MAPPED: SNOW AND ICE WARNINGS FOR UK THIS EVENING
undefined SEVEN TIPS FOR DRIVING SAFELY ON ICY ROADS
Keith Hawes, Director of has given seven to help motorists drive safely on icy roads.
- Steer into the skid
- Drive slowly
- Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you
- Pay attention to the road ahead
- Use a higher gear
- Avoid stopping on hills
- Avoid parking on icy roads
HUNDREDS OF KEY WORKER SCHOOLS SHUT DUE TO SNOW
Key workers are facing challenges as hundreds of schools shut to youngsters.
In Norfolk alone, around 350 schools are closed today because of the snow and ice.
Norfolk County Council said 349 of the county’s 422 schools were closed on Monday morning.
STORM DARCY DUBBED 'BEAST FROM THE EAST TWO'
Storm Darcy has been dubbed by some as a second “Beast from the East”, which caused havoc in 2018.
OUTLOOK FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY
The Met Office's weather forecast from Wednesday to Friday says: "Remaining very cold with snow showers and strong winds in the east easing.
"Very harsh penetrating frosts.
"Potential disruptive snow in the west on Friday with strong south-easterly winds."
MORE SNOW TO BLANKET UK
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The UK is in for a notably cold and snowy period over the next week, with very cold air in place over the whole of the UK."
Snow began to accumulate yesterday - but plenty more is expected, he warned.
“We could see 5-10cm of snow quite widely, with a chance that a few places could see 20cm or more," he said.
KEEP AWAY
A huge crack has appeared on the clifftop at Seaford Head in East Sussex during the freezing weather.
Coastguard officials have warned members of the public to keep away amid fears of a collapse.
OUTLOOK FOR TONIGHT
HEAVY SNOW IN SCOTLAND
Heavy snow blanketed the village of Tomintoul in Scotland.
Weather warnings are in place as heavy snow and cold winds are forecast.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty HOW TO DRIVE ON ICY ROADS
Keith Hawes, Director of has given seven to help motorists drive safely on icy roads.
- Steer into the skid
- Drive slowly
- Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you
- Pay attention to the road ahead
- Use a higher gear
- Avoid stopping on hills
- Avoid parking on icy roads
WINDS FROM THE EAST
Temperatures have been forced lower by 50mph winds blasting in from Ukraine and the Black Sea.
SCHOOLS CLOSED DUE TO SNOW
Key workers are facing challenges as hundreds of schools shut to youngsters.
In Norfolk alone, around 350 schools are closed today because of the snow and ice.
Norfolk County Council said 349 of the county's 422 schools were closed on Monday morning.
RETURN OF THE BEAST
Storm Darcy has been dubbed by some as a second "Beast from the East", which caused havoc in 2018.
POLAR BEARS CUDDLE IN THE SNOW
Hope has been sparked for a new sibling for the first polar bear cub born in the UK for 25 years after his parents were spotted cuddling up on camera.
Polar bears Arktos and Victoria have been brought together at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie with hopes of producing a new cub.
The two have been cuddling together in the snow.
Highland Wildlife Park, which is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service CANCELLED FLIGHTS
Snow from weekend blizzards snarled roads and cancelled flights in the Netherlands on Monday, while also stirring hopes among the locked-down Dutch for a return to ice skating on their canals for the first time in years.
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute extended a warning for snow drifts and slippery conditions to large parts of the country after more than 30 centimetres (nearly 12 inches) fell in 24 hours in some areas.
The train service shut down on Sunday and remained patchy on Monday, while buses and trams continued to have difficulties in many towns and cities.
The post office said it was unable to deliver the mail in some areas because roads were inaccessible due to ice and snow. At Schiphol airport, dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed.
DO NOT TRAVEL
Cops warned people not to travel as heavy snow and ice brought disruption to parts of the UK, closing coronavirus vaccination centres and schools.
The Met Office has issued severe amber snow warnings for London and south-east England, where heavy snow is likely to cause long delays on roads as well as affecting rail and air travel.
Around 5cm-10cm (2in-4in) is set to fall in these areas, reaching up to 30cm (11.8in) in the worst affected regions.
Another amber warning is in place for Nottinghamshire and north to Sheffield, as well as east into Lincolnshire.
