Weather maps reveal when polar freeze will bring -3C chill to UK
A polar freeze bringing chilly lows of -3C is set to sweep across much of the UK next week. Weather[1] maps suggest the cold snap will hit large parts of the country, coming weeks after a mild February.
Much of Britain is expected to wake to frost and ice[2] next week. Areas stretching as far south as Devon and Cornwall could see the frosty[3] conditions on March 1.
According to WXCharts, there could also be more snow[4] flurries this year. By noon on March 1, snow could scatter across parts of the country.
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This could include the south coast of England, Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Scotland, Express reports[7]. The worst of the weather[8] is expected in north Wales, with up to 2cm of snow to fall each hour.
A weather[9] system running from Snowdonia is believed to be behind the sudden icy surge. The Met Office[10] previously warned this last-gasp of winter may hit because of 'blocked' air currents over Iceland and Greenland.
The unusually cold conditions could be brought on by those air channels over Iceland freeing themselves up later this week or next. A spokesman for WXCharts said: "Showers should reduce through Saturday, giving most areas a drier spell of weather.
"Further persistent rain and locally strong winds are likely to move into some southern areas on Sunday, though those further north are likely to see drier conditions." The Met Office[11] also warned of a 'greater than normal chance' of cold temperatures towards the end of winter.
A spokesperson said: "Towards mid-March there is an increased chance of a greater likelihood of higher pressure as a 'blocked' pattern becoming established over Greenland and Iceland, with lower pressure towards the south and southwest. This is likely to bring a trend towards increasingly settled conditions, with the likelihood of drier than normal conditions, especially in the north.
"This may lead to a slightly greater than normal chance of colder than average temperatures, although this is mitigated as we move further into spring." Parts of Scotland are expected to see lows of -3C, while northern England could see temperatures of 0C.
References
- ^ Weather (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ frost and ice (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ frosty (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ snow (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ The strict DVLA rule you must follow or risk a huge £1,000 fine (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Express reports (www.express.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.birminghammail.co.uk)