A significant cold snap is set to grip Britain this week, with a wall of snow forecast to sweep across large parts of England. The first major Arctic blast of the winter will see temperatures plummet, bringing wintry hazards after a period of unseasonably mild weather.
Widespread Snow and Ice Forecast
According to the latest Met Office forecasts, snow will begin to arrive across northern England and Scotland from Tuesday afternoon. The cold spell is then expected to push further south, with much of England, including the Midlands, likely to see snow flurries on Wednesday.
An interactive map from forecasters indicates that large swathes of the country will be affected. While most Midlands areas are predicted to experience light snowfall, Shropshire and Cheshire could see heavier accumulations.
This dramatic shift in weather is driven by a cold northerly flow from the Arctic, propelled by high pressure to the northwest of the UK.
Plummeting Temperatures and Health Alert
The mercury is set to drop sharply across the nation. Overnight temperatures could fall to below freezing, with daytime figures struggling to reach beyond single digits. The UK recorded its coldest night since March last Saturday, when Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands saw temperatures sink to a biting -7°C.
In response to the impending freeze, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an official cold weather warning. This alert is effective from Monday and will remain in place until Friday. The warning covers multiple regions, including:
- The East Midlands
- The West Midlands
- The North East
- The North West
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Expert Meteorologist's Warning
Dan Holley, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, provided a stark assessment of the conditions ahead. He confirmed that high pressure will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK.
He added: "This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice.
"There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country. Couple this with a brisk northerly wind, and there will be a marked wind chill."
Residents across the affected regions are advised to prepare for the severe weather, taking necessary precautions for travel and health during this period of intensely cold conditions.