SNOW will batter the UK over the coming days as an Arctic Blast sends temperatures plunging as low as -7C.
Up to 20 inches of snow are predicted to fall in Scotland starting from Sunday, with the icy weather moving further down the country over the following days.
By Tuesday London and the rest of southern England will see snow meaning the entire UK should have experienced some snow by the middle of next week.
The Met Office has said shots of Arctic air will hit our shores this week – "meaning much colder and wetter weather".
The weather agency tweeted: "Are you noticing the change in temperature? Several shots of Arctic air are on the way to the UK later this week as the jet stream dips southwards bringing much #colder and wetter weather.
Read our weather live blog for the latest forecasts and updates…
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What is the coldest place on Earth?
By a long way, the coldest place on Earth is Vostok, Antarctica, where the lowest ever temperature was recorded.
A Russian research station in Vostok once clocked lows of -89.2C and is so close to the poles that it gets mere minutes of sunshine a day in winter.
During the cold months, the average temperature in Vostok is around -68C, while the summer average is a tooth-chattering -32C.
But, apart from researchers at the Russian station, nobody ever ventures to Vostok… for obvious reasons.
This means that the title of coldest inhabited place on Earth goes to Oymyakon, a rural town in Eastern Russia which is home to fewer than 900 people.
Throughout the winter, the ground is permanently frozen, with a low of −67.7 degrees C recorded on February 6, 1933.
Oymyakon is believed to be the coldest inhabited place on the planetCredit: Rex Features - Milica Cosic
What is the coldest recorded temperature in the UK?
UK temperatures have been known to plunge to lows of -27.2 C, in Braemar, East Scotland, and Altnaharra in the North of Scotland.
These lows were recorded on January 10, 1982, and December 30, 1995, respectively.
The third lowest temperature ever recorded in the UK was clocked in Shawbury in the Midlands on December 13, 1981, when the mercury dipped to -25.2C.
In-fact the 19th and 20th century, Britain experienced some of its worst winters which at times saw the nation brave blizzards, avalanches, several months without temperatures getting above freezing.
In 1963 – nicknamed the 'Big Freeze of 1963' – the UK even saw one of it's chilliest months of record with an average temperature of -2.1C.
It was the second coldest winter on record after the Great Frost of 1683-84 which saw temperatures in some areas reportedly plummeting to -30C.
As a result, the the river Thames remained completely frozen over for over two months, giving Londoners plenty of time to enjoy a frost fair on the ice, which was reportedly 11 inches thick.
- Milica Cosic
Chance for things to turn colder
The entire country could be covered in snow by the weekend, Brits have been warned.
Oliver Claydon, Met Office, told the Express : “Long-lead models are showing there is a chance for things to turn a bit colder in the middle of next week.
“Uncertainty is hinged around an area of high pressure, if it’s further to the west then it could pull a chance of snow from the north."
Temperatures are also likely to continue to plummet, with snow also continuing to batter the country after this week.
- Milica Cosic
Will we have a White Christmas in the UK?
November – Colder conditions are expected in the period, with a risk of wintry showers, mainly in the north. Temperatures are likely to be close to or just below average.
Under high pressure, frost and fog are likely overnight, with any fog slow to clear during the morning, according to the Met Office long-range forecast.
December – Forecasters predict December will see fog and frost early in the mornings.
The north will see more changeable weather.
January – January is typically the coldest month of the year in the UK. Most parts of the UK will see rain while London and parts of the south might see snow, according to forecasters.
Temperatures are expected to reach between 2C and 7C.
- Milica Cosic
Where is it snowing now?
According to the Met Office, “prolonged periods” of snowfall are possible at higher elevations in parts of Scotland and northern England and Wales over the coming days.
An amber warning has since been put in place with Storm Arwen expected to bring strong winds across the country today.
The forecast for the next few days from the Met Office is:
Tonight – The wind is expected to pick up with stormy weather forecast for eastern Scotland and north-east England.
Some areas should also expect sleet and snow before it turns showery in the north and west.
November 27 – The wind will ease, but further rain and hill snow is expected in the east. The rest of the country will experience sunny spells and wintery conditions.
The mercury could dip as low as freezing in parts of London and the South East overnight, while remaining around 6C (42.8F) during the day.
- Milica Cosic
Councils monitoring shortage of gritters 'closely'
Councillor David Renard said: "Some councils may find gritting services are affected in the same way some waste collection services have been impacted."
Dozens of driver vacancies are being advertised around the UK.
Authorities in Hampshire told the Star they're "training new drivers to ensure we can maintain our winter service when demand peaks".
In Wrexham, councillors are "monitoring the situation very closely".
- Milica Cosic
UK faces shortage of gritters and road salt
BRITS could be struck by mid-winter travel chaos amid a shortage of HGV drivers to spread salt on the roads.
Snow has already arrived in the Highlands, with forecasters warning of more to come further south next week.
But highways chiefs are scrambling to recruit more drivers to keep motorists safe as officials warn major gritting routes could be axed.
Meanwhile, in a worrying double whammy, there's less grit in stock than in previous winters.
Transport bosses in Scotland – where snow usually falls earliest and thickest – say there's 30,000 fewer tonnes of salt in stock than last year.
- Milica Cosic
Weather outlook for Sunday and Monday
Sunday will be cold but mostly dry and sunny, although there will be more cloud across Scotland and Northern Ireland with a chance of wintry showers.
Monday will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain spreading into western areas. Rain may fall as sleet and snow for a time across the north-east
- Milica Cosic
Forecast for tomorrow
Saturday 27 sees a cold start to the day with early outbreaks of sleet and snow across England and Wales.
However this will turn increasingly to rain and drizzle during the morning and will become confined to eastern areas. The best of the dry conditions and sunny spells will be across northern and western areas.
- Milica Cosic
BREAKING: Rare RED alert for Storm Arwen
A RARE RED alert has been issued as Storm Arwen brings chaotic 90mph winds, three inches of snow and huge BLIZZARDS.
Buildings will be destroyed and power lines sent toppling to the floor as a red weather warning stretching from Aberdeen to Newcastle kicks in from 3pm today.
Flying debris poses a "risk to life" under the warning – which will last through to 2am tomorrow morning.
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Amber warnings in place
The amber weather warnings cover most of Scotland and Northern England today and Saturday, however, the rest of the country has still been warned to be on alert.
Yellow wind warnings are in place for most of the country, with the Met Office warning: "Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible."
Some damage to trees, temporary structures and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen."
Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible."
- Milica Cosic
Northern Scotland's snow levels
Netweather forecaster Jo Farrow has said that: "Northern Scotland could see snow down to low levels, elsewhere it will mostly be on mountains and hills.
"Those coastal areas that stick out, being exposed in a northerly flow will be more likely to catch wintry flurries.
"But the air plunging down through the UK will be properly cold by Saturday and so there is the possibility of seeing snow flurries even temporary deposits further south as small features are pushed southwards.
"There will also be sleet and hail, that kind of icy rain that should be snow but isn’t and is just grim and spiky. The Pennines and North York Moors should also get a covering."
- Milica Cosic
Snow day soon!
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond said that snow could fall everywhere over the next few days.
He said: ”Gusts of wind are likely to reach 50 to 60 mph widely, with 70 to 80 mph possible in coastal locations, particularly in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“As well as strong winds, rain will also move south across the country on Friday, with showers following turning increasingly to hill snow in the north.
“This wintry mix of showers will continue on Saturday, and although snow is possible almost anywhere away from the far-south, accumulations are likely to be confined to hills.”
- Milica Cosic
Temperatures are set to plunge
Amid the chaotic weather, temperatures are set to plunge below zero – with forecasters predicting possible snow across the country this weekend.
Storm Arwen is the first named storm of the year bringing two days of disruptive weather to the country.
- Milica Cosic
Snow could cover ENTIRE country this weekend
THE entire country could be covered in snow this weekend – as a storm bringing massive 80mph wind gusts barrels towards the UK.
Brits have been warned to batten down the hatches as Storm Arwen blasts the country from Friday, sparking fears debris will be sent flying and of huge travel delays.
The amber wind warning will last until Saturday, with Brits issued danger to life warnings and warned to expect damage to trees and buildings, public transport cancellations, road and bridge closures, power cuts and large waves.
High winds associated with Storm Arwen are expected to cause some travel disruption and damage across the UK
- Milica Cosic
Things to do when it snows
We'll be honest, we're like a big kid when it snows. Here are 10 things you and your kids can do when it snows:
1. Go sledging
2. Make hot chocolate and get cosy at home
3. Build a snowman
4. Do some arts and crafts
5. Snow painting
6. Make snow angels
7. Watch bubbles freeze
8. Make homemade playdough
9. Get baking
10. Plan a dream list of days out to visit this year
- Joseph Gamp
Storm Arwen is named
The Met Office has named Storm Arwen; the low-pressure system will bring high winds most of the UK.
An amber wind warning for northeast Scotland and England has been added to existing wider yellow warnings that are in place for Friday for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the west of England and Wales, as well as for much of the UK – except the southeast – on Saturday.
The amber warning will run from 3pm on Friday to 9qm on Saturday, with the strongest winds expected in coastal locations, where gusts in excess of 75mph are possible in some places.
- Joseph Gamp
First storm names of the season
Here are the dates of first named storm since naming began for UK & Ireland, not counting ex-hurricanes or names from other agencies.
The first storms of the season begin with A, according to the Met Office's alphabetical list of names for storms.
- 2015-16 12 November Abigail
- 2016-17 20 November Angus
- 2017-18 12 September Aileen
- 2018-19 19 September Ali
- 2019-20 08 December Atiyah
- 2020-21 31 October Aiden
Met Office weather outlook for Saturday to Monday
Cold on Saturday with mixture of rain, sleet and snow showers, accompanied by gales.
Improving through Sunday; widely fine after frosty start.
Further cloud/rain slowly spreading from the west later.
YOUR iPhone can warn you if you're about to get snowed on.
The latest iPhone update added a hidden setting that gives you alerts based on your location.
First, make sure you're updated to iOS 15 – go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Then grant the Weather app your location info, otherwise it won't work.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Weather and select Always.
You'll get even better alerts if you grant Precise Location access.
Next, make sure the Weather app can send notifications.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Weather > Allow Notifications, and then select which type of alerts you want.
Finally, you then need to enable weather alerts.
Go into the Weather app and choose the list icon in the bottom-right.
At the top you'll see an option called Stay Dry.
How to dress for extremely cold weather
Part of dressing safely for cold temperatures is being intentional in making sure that every part of your body is adequately covered and kept dry. When getting dressed in the winter, use the CDC's checklist below as a guide.
- A hat
- A scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
- Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
- Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
- Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
- Water-resistant coat and boots
- Joseph Gamp
Explained: Why do I need a winter Covid booster?
Covid boosters are being rolled out in order to protect the vulnerable from a “challenging winter”.
Now we are all mingling freely again, germs are being spread at a quicker rate and the classic winter bugs have made a return.
Although the vaccine is currently effective against the Delta variant, viruses have to mutate to survive.
Essentially because a virus has such as a short life span they evolve much faster than bigger, more complex organisms – for instance it took millions of years for humans to evolve the right genes to drink milk (and many still haven’t – particularly in Asia) – and can change their physiology in a matter of months.
With the number of unvaccinated people still in the UK and the fact that over time the acquired immunity from the virus breaks down, the virus has the space to change and get stronger so it can get around the vaccine – bringing us back to square one.
- Joseph Gamp
How to de-ice safely without damaging your windscreen
This winter, make sure you do it right by using only mild to moderate pressure on your windscreen.
The frost on your vehicle could contain rocks and other sharp material, which could crack your windshield if it's pressed too hard.
Turning the car on and sticking on the heaters for five to 10 minutes will also make your life easier and prevent you needing to press hard to clear any ice.
Some posh ice scrapers made of glass have appeared on the market, but using such a material in our modest winter temperatures can be risky.
Plastic or rubber is the safer choice, even if it needs a bit more elbow grease.
- Joseph Gamp
Labour says energy supplier situation ‘is a Government crisis’
Ed Miliband claimed the energy supplier situation was a Government “crisis”.
He said: “We’ve seen a failure of policy over a decade, a failure of regulation. The Government making the cost-of-living crisis worse. Isn’t the truth this Government cannot be the answer to this energy crisis because it is their crisis and it’s businesses and families who are paying the price.”
Responding, Mr Kwarteng said: “Just as a point of fact, the number is actually 22 companies not 18… actually that shows the incredible resilience of the systems that we have in place.”
He added: “In terms of regulation Ofgem have launched a review looking at the retail market and how it operates, and that’s something which I will be studying very closely and directly involved with.”
- Joseph Gamp
Five essentials to pack before hitting the roads ahead of snow next week
A flask of hot drink is another must-have to fend off the cold when stationary – while a torch can be used to help see as daylight hours get shorter.
Meanwhile, in case an unfortunate skid sends them off the road, a shovel is needed to make sure drivers can free their cars if stuck in snow.
The insurer also urges drivers to "fully de-ice" their vehicles prior to heading off – including clearing snow from the windows, lights and the roof to help with visibility.
"It’s also worth having winter essentials in the car such as warm, waterproof layers, a shovel, a torch, fully charged mobile phone and a flask of hot drink.”
Source: Read Full Article