The UK shivered through freezing temperatures last night as the mercury dropped to a low of -14C in Dalwhinnie, Scotland, and more snow and icy conditions are expected over the next few days as temperatures plummet.
Weather expert, Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, claims tonight we could see the “lowest minimum temperature” so far this winter.
Speaking to Express.oc.uk, Mr Dale said: “We are in the final three days of ice and snow, though tonight could see lowest minimum air temperatures so far, -16C in the Scottish Highlands.”
Weather maps have turned blue and display ice-cold temperatures across the UK, as cold Arctic air causes a Polar blast across the country. The disruptive snow led to more than 100 schools closed on January 16, and more remain shut today, with the potential of rural communities being cut off across Britain.
Provisional figures from the Met Office show -13C was recorded in Glen Ogle, central Scotland, while -11C was recorded at Tulloch Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.
Yellow weather warnings continue to be in place across the country and the Met Office has warned of travel delays, power cuts and injuries from cold weather.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England are expected to be the worst affected. The Met Office warns of frequent snow showers with an additional 5cm to 10cm of snow likely over hilly areas inland and a chance of further 15cm to 20cm in a few locations.
Looking ahead to next week, weather expert Jim Dale says the snow threat is likely to “recede”.
Mr Dale said: “The snow threat will recede markedly from Saturday onwards, swapped for much milder air, wetter at times and windy too… what follows is a mixed bag, but nothing, as of yet, overly wintry.”
For the remainder of this week, in the south of the country, “a few wintry flurries” may be seen across the far south of England, but widespread disruption is not expected and no warnings are currently in place in the area, Met Office reports.
The Met Office spokeswoman said: “It’s staying cold until Friday, and then looking further ahead into the weekend we’ve got some deep areas of low pressure pushing in, so a big change in weather type, and we could see some stormy conditions by the end of the week.”
“The cold isn’t lasting right to end of the week, but we have a very different type of potentially-disruptive weather arriving.”
Thousands of Britons struggling to keep warm this week during the -10C Arctic freeze may be eligible for a £25 cold weather payment from the Government.
Wednesday, January 17 until Sunday, January 21
Headline:
Cold and frosty with further coastal snow showers.
Today:
Snow showers continue to feed into coastal areas, mainly across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, many inland areas dry and sunny, though cloudier skies at first in south with the odd wintry flurry possible. Another cold day for all.
Tonight:
Clear periods for most this evening and overnight with temperatures quickly plummeting. A severe frost developing inland with icy patches. Further snow flurries in northern coastal areas at times.
Thursday:
Another dry, sunny and cold day for many after a very frosty and locally icy start. Occasional snow showers in coastal areas once again, giving a slight covering in places.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Very cold at first with further snow showers, mainly near coastal areas. Turning milder into the weekend with bands of rain and strong winds beginning to move across the country.
