Britons are being warned to brace for a dramatic and icy end to 2024 as weather charts predict the return of a so-called 'Beast from the East', bringing sub-zero temperatures and potential snow to parts of the country on New Year's Eve.
Arctic Air Set to Bring Snow and Bitter Winds
According to the latest forecasts, a surge of cold air originating from Scandinavia is poised to sweep across the UK, abruptly ending the recent mild spell. This arctic blast is expected to usher in biting easterly winds, with a severe wind-chill effect making it feel as cold as -6C in some eastern regions.
Weather maps from Metdesk indicate a band of snow is likely to develop along the eastern coastline on the night of 31 December. The stretch from Aberdeenshire down to Suffolk is in the firing line, with the most significant accumulations anticipated in East Yorkshire and Humberside.
Regional Impacts: Snow in the East, Rain Elsewhere
The sharp temperature drop will be felt nationwide, but conditions will vary significantly by region. While the east coast prepares for wintry showers, other areas including the Midlands are more likely to face heavy rain and frosty conditions as the year concludes.
In eastern England and the Home Counties, 'bone-chilling' conditions are forecast. Swathes of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire could experience 'feel-like' temperatures of -6C. Northeast England, including County Durham, is also braced for a harsh freeze during evening celebrations.
The Met Office confirms the overall outlook is for 'settled but cold' weather with notable wind chills. Night-time frosts are expected to become more frequent and severe as high pressure builds to the north, drawing in cold, strengthening northeasterly winds.
Uncertainty for Southern Regions and Ongoing Flood Warnings
Forecasters suggest that while southern regions will be cold enough for snow, it is currently uncertain whether wintry precipitation will fall during the actual New Year's Eve countdown. Meanwhile, the shift to colder weather comes as several parts of Southwest England, including Dorset and Somerset, remain under flood warnings due to recent heavy rain, with groundwater flooding a particular concern.
BBC Weather experts note that temperatures will begin to slide in the days immediately after Christmas Day. The period from Friday into Saturday is expected to stay dry but increasingly cloudy, leading to a much chillier feel across most of the country.
This forecast marks a stark contrast to the 12C temperatures experienced earlier in the week, signalling a frigid and potentially disruptive start to the New Year for many.
