Britain to be rocked by snowy storms, howling gales, freezing temperatures and flooding
The Met Office has forecast shocking “storm systems” hitting in the second half of October
BRITAIN faces shocking October floods and tempests before winter starts early with a ‘Beast from the East’ bringing -10C temperatures.
The Indian Summer is well and truly over as the Met Office forecast a chilly week ahead with freezing frosts and colder-than-normal days.
“A plunge of Arctic air may arrive,” said The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze.
A Met Office forecaster added: “It will remain rather cool for the time of year, with cold nights.
"Local frost is possible in the South, West and North.”
More worryingly, Met has forecast Atlantic “storm systems” hitting in the second half of October.
Gales and deluges will bring travel woes and flooding.
Storm Angus will become autumn’s first named storm when an Atlantic tempest has the potential for amber or red severe weather warnings for wind, rain or snow.
The Met Office contingency forecast said: “Atlantic storm systems are likely to bring unsettled conditions to the UK, perhaps producing heavy rain at times.”
A Met Office forecaster added: “There is a trend for more changeable weather into late October across most parts, with the North expected to see the strongest winds, heaviest rain and an increasing risk of frosts.”
Britain is not ready to defend itself against the looming flooding, a top environmental expert has also warned.
Leading climate campaigner Guy Shrubsole warned that flooding could put thousands of lives at risk and wipe more than £1 billion off the economy.
With more heavy downpours expected to lash the UK, there are fears large swathes of the country could face spending much of autumn and winter underwater.
Guy fears a repeat of heavy rain unleashed by Storm Desmond and Frank – which flooded thousands out of their homes – could bring the country to its knees.
Speaking to , the climate boffin for Friends of the Earth said urgent action must be taken to protect Britain from flooding.
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He said: “Britain is not well-prepared, I'm afraid.
“The government appears to have learned a little from George Osborne's mistakes, and has now finally increased flood defence spending.
“But they have cut other things that help us prepare for floods. This is a false economy that will hurt flood-risk communities.”
Across the UK, around 5.8 million homes are at risk of flooding – a figure that's projected to rise with global warming.
The Met Office is briefing councils and transport chiefs to also brace for colder-than-average temperatures in November and December, due to cold easterly and northerly winds.
Easterly winter winds are dubbed the ‘Beast from the East’ as they often stem from Russia and bring Britain’s coldest weather of winter, with travel impacts, ice - and snow if the cold winds hit moist Atlantic air.
Britain could see -10C lows as November and December have seen lows between -8C and -13C in each of the past four years, Met Office records show.
The chill from November is blamed on forecast high pressure near the UK triggering winds from a cold direction. Stormy conditions are expected to ease.
The Met Office three-month contingency forecast is being briefed to Government, councils, businesses and transport chiefs.
The Met Office forecast said: “Through November and into December, there is an increased likelihood of colder-than-average conditions.
“There is an increased risk of higher-than-average pressure to the west or north of the UK.
“Such an atmospheric pattern results in an increased incidence of winds from a northerly or easterly direction, favouring colder-than-average temperatures as the polar regions begin to cool.
“A decrease in storminess is also expected through November and December.”