BIG FREEZE UK
UK weather forecast – Snow and -17C Arctic blast to hit Britain this week and set to last a MONTH
Snow could fall 'almost anywhere' in a Big Chill lasting until mid-February
BRITAIN will shiver for weeks as a bitter Arctic blast of snow showers starts a cold snap lasting for a MONTH, forecasters warned.
Today and Tuesday will be fairly mild at around 9C - although with some flakes of snow and sleet today - before icy winds sweep across the UK from Wednesday, sending the mercury plummeting to as low as -17C.
8
It comes after Continental Europe was hit by a "once in 30 years" big freeze as ten feet of snow brought chaos and at least 21 were killed.
The UK has dodged that Eastern chiller killer - but now a separate blast is on the way from the frozen Pole north of Iceland.
Wintry showers set to hit the North of England and Scotland from Wednesday to Friday could also sweep further south along with bitter 50mph gales.
Forecasters have also warned the end of January and February will be "very cold" with snow and ice likely to wreak havoc on roads and railways.
8
8
8
Weather Charts predict that heavy snow is coming to UK as winter conditions grip country
Snow could hit "almost anywhere" after the weekend with night-time lows of -14C possible in some spots. The Weather Company has predicted -17C.
Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said the "relatively mild" start to 2019 will come to a dramatic end on Wednesday as we are hit by bitter Arctic air from the northwest.
She told The Sun Online: "It will feel notably different from the first half of January as we switch to a longer spell of cold weather from Wednesday."
Snow showers are likely on higher ground in the northern half of the UK and could also hit low-lying areas on Thursday and Friday.
8
8
8
8
The South will be generally fine and dry this week but will not escape the cold weather for long, with widespread frost predicted across the whole country on Thursday night.
Ms Diamond said the weekend may bring a brief return to milder conditions before another freezing blast next week.
The Met Office's warns late January and early February have "an increased likelihood of cold weather being established across all of the UK, with temperatures continuing a downward trend to become cold or very cold.
"This would bring a greater risk of snow, ice and widespread frost, particularly across northern parts of the country."
Forecaster Steven Keates said: "The evidence points to the longest cold spell since March."
MOST READ IN NEWS
And bookies Coral make it odds-on at 4/6 this winter will be the coldest on record.
It is offering 1/3 London will see snow before the end of January.
Last spring Britain was hit by a monster Beast from the East storm with snow that crippled the country for days on end.
Ryanair plane flying from Malta to Leeds-Bradford Airport aborts landing twice after being rocked by 50mph winds before it touched down
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics