The Met Office has warned that parts of the UK may not see temperatures climb above 0C for ‘several days’ as the current cold snap is set to continue.
Temperatures have plummeted since the UK welcomed in the new year earlier this week, with sub-zero conditions recorded in several places – and it looks as though the rest of the month could bring similar conditions.
From Saturday evening, large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain. A number of weather warnings will be in force, including two amber alerts for snow and ice covering the majority of northern England, Wales and parts of the Midlands.
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It comes after Rostherne in Cheshire and Yeovilton in Somerset saw temperatures drop to -5C overnight into Friday. Tonight could be even colder with temperatures of -10C expected in parts of rural Scotland, according to new Met Office forecasts. The coldest temperature recorded in January last year was -14C, in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said there will likely be “significant accumulations” of snow in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England this weekend, with 7cm expected widely and up to 40cm expected on high ground.
The snow is set to thaw fairly rapidly across most of the country as milder air takes hold on Sunday. But after the weekend, temperatures are expected to drop again, with some areas in the north of the country ‘struggling’ to get above 0C for ‘several days’, according to the Met Office.
Colder conditions are set to develop widely across the UK into next week, according to forecasters. Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said: “The system bringing this weekend’s snow will move away to the east by Monday, allowing a cold a northerly flow to become established again for much of next week.”
Cold temperatures are set to stick around next week -Credit:Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
He added: “This will bring further snow showers to northern Scotland in particular, but possibly to some other areas, especially near western coasts, with a fair amount of dry and bright weather elsewhere.
“Temperatures will remain below average, with widespread frost and the risk of ice at times. Some areas, especially in the north, may struggle to get above freezing for several days.”
Mr Holley said further weather warnings will likely be issued from the start of next week as the forecast becomes more clear.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued amber cold weather health alerts for all of England, which will remain in place until Wednesday next week.
Meanwhile, the Department of Work and Pensions has triggered the first Cold Weather Payments of the year. Payments of £25 will be made to eligible households in 18 postcode areas in England amid the recent cold snap, with more expected to follow.