Uk Weather Ice Forecast: Snow To Blast Britain This Weekend As Temperatures Plunge Below 0 express.co.uk
Government officials have urged the nation to prepare for harsh winter weather which could trigger power cuts, damage to homes and travel chaos. Bitter temperatures will bring harsh frosts and further snowfall this weekend as a plume of supercooled air sweeps in from Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Scotland and parts of northern England are on alert for heavy wintry downpours with strong winds threatening blizzards over high ground.
Milder winds will push temperatures towards normal next week although experts warn these will eventually give way to a blisteringly cold festive season.
Complex climatic conditions over the coming weeks threaten to pull together all the ingredients for what could be the coldest winter in decades.
Low solar activity driving a supercharged jet stream will drag Arctic air down over Europe while an El-Nino warming of the eastern Pacific – linked to colder than average UK winters – is now 80-per cent likely.
Southwestern Britain is on alert for torrential downpours, hailstorms and thunder this weekend as a swirling Atlantic low-low-pressure system drags its claws across the region.
A Met Office severe weather warning is in place across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Plymouth, Dorset and Torbay until Saturday evening.
Chief meteorologist Laura Paterson said: “Bands of heavy, at times thundery, showers are expected to affect parts of southwest England from Friday morning until later on Saturday.
“Where [showers] do occur, 20 to 40 millimetres may fall in six to 12 hours, with perhaps around 50 millimetres falling in 24 hours – most likely across southeast-facing coasts and moors of Devon and Cornwall.
“Showers may also contain small hail at times.”
The Met Office with the UK Cabinet Office today put out an advisory alerting Britons to the dangers of harsh winter weather.
Officials are urging people to keep an eye on elderly relatives and friends and those who may be at risk during cold weather.
Met Office research reveals around two thirds of the UK is not prepared for winter with remote regional communities most vulnerable.
Oliver Dowden, Minister for Implementation for the Cabinet Office said: “Last year we saw the impact severe weather can have on our services and communities.
“Our public services and emergency responders continue to prepare for severe weather as they do every year, but everyone can take simple actions to prepare themselves and support their friends and neighbours.
“This might mean having a flu jab, checking your vehicle and property are ready for the changing weather conditions, or offering support to your elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
“Thinking ahead can make a big difference if the weather takes a turn for the worse.”
A Met Office spokesman added: “The Met Office recommends you have a torch, candles, bottled water and some basic food supplies available.
“Thinking about what may be impacted by strong winds or floods will reduce the risk of damage to your property, for example guttering, pipes, roof tiles, ground floor items and garden items.”
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