The mercury is set to plunge across Britain in the final throes of winter in just a matter of days.
Weather maps show temperatures as low as -10C in some parts of the country, while others hover around the -5C mark. Experts warn that a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) is likely to happen over the next few days, which could lead to prolonged cold weather.
An SSW in early March would cause cold air to be pushed south or southwest across Europe, bringing with it below-average temperatures and wintry conditions. Nick Finnis from NetWeather said: “So following a winter without much cold and wintry weather away from northern Scotland, there is an increased risk of a bitter blow before spring warmth takes hold.”
The Met Office also predict substantial cloud cover and rainfall for much of the south and west of the UK, along with “cooler more showery conditions across the north.”
Maps from WXCharts, which uses data from MetDesk, show the worst of the low temperatures hitting the northeast of Scotland, with Aberdeen to see the mercury hitting as low as -10C.
However, the rest of the country is far from spared from the wintry conditions, with temperatures of around -5C predicted for as far south as Birmingham on March 11.
Mr Finnis added: “Often spring warmth comes in fits and starts with cold and wintry set-backs in spring can occur without an SSW. But an SSW just increases the chances of a more prolonged below-average cold spell!
“On average, a major SSW does lead to a Negative North Atlantic Oscillation (-NAO) which is often associated with blocking high pressure near or over Greenland – which forces the Atlantic storm track further south and also causes cold air to push south into Europe, including the UK.”
The cold weather will be followed by more showers and “longer spells of rain” in the week following March 11, the Met Office said.
In its long-range forecast, the weather agency said the following week will see “occasional showers and longer spells of rain alongside stronger winds at times in the south with brighter but occasionally showery conditions across the north.”
It placed temperatures higher, however.
“Temperatures most likely just above average between systems in the south, nearer average in northern areas,” the Met Office said.
Today:
A cold start with some frost and fog. This clearing leaving many areas dry with light winds and sunny spells. Cloudier across the Northern Isles and East Anglia with outbreaks of rain possible. Not feeling quite as chilly as yesterday.
Tonight:
Cloud and some rain still clipping North Sea coasts, and some showers in the southwest. Otherwise plenty of clear spells overnight and light winds allowing frost and fog to develop.
Monday:
A cold start with fog clearing readily. A largely dry and bright day for many though cloud increasing from the southwest with spells of rain and strengthening winds. Average temperatures.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Generally settled this week with bright or sunny spells, some showers, particularly on Tuesday with strong winds in the northwest. Temperatures slightly above average and feeling pleasant in the sunshine.
