Millions of Britons face sub-zero temperatures in the days ahead, with the mercury plunging as low as 12C in some areas, new weather maps suggest.
Forecast data collected by WXCHARTS.COM show most of the UK falling below below 0C on Thursday, December 9, with multiple areas of Scotland seeing minimum temperatures of -8C.
Parts of Northern England, including areas north of Manchester could see similar lows, though minimum temps in southern areas including London are forecast to be 0C or just under.
Areas along Wales’ southern coast could get -5C with other areas closer to that seen across southern England, while minimum temperatures in Northern Ireland are currently forecast to be between -1 and -3C as of 9pm.
By 9pm the following day, parts of Scotland’s Highlands and northeast could plummet to minimums of -10C, with temperatures across the rest of the country similar to the day before, apart from Northern Ireland where temperatures may creep up to 0C, according to the charts.
Cold temperatures of the levels seen on Friday look set to persist across the country the following day, though in the Highlands temperatures could drop to -12C in a freezing start to the year, maps suggest.
According to the Met Office’s current 3-5 day forecast, the outlook for Wednesday to Friday looks to be, “Cold with a mixture of sunny spells and wintry showers, these most frequent in the north and northwest.
With a “more prolonged period of snow in the south possible on Wednesday”.
Looking further ahead with its outlook for Friday (January 10) to Sunday, January 19, the government agency predicts, a “cold, frosty and mostly fine start to Friday, perhaps with a few freezing fog patches.
“However, a band of cloud and rain will edge into the west later, this possibly preceded by some sleet or snow, and likely accompanied by some strong winds.
“This will tend to decay in situ though. Through the weekend and beyond, high pressure is likely to develop close to the UK, with generally settled conditions prevailing through mid-month.
“That said, there are likely to be some incursions of milder, windier, more unsettled conditions from the Atlantic at times, especially towards the north and west of the UK.
“These may be preceded by a spell of snow over higher ground and followed by some wintry showers,” it adds.
Meanwhile, multiple yellow weather warnings have been issued after much of the country saw heavy snow or icy rainfall over the weekend, bringing with them two large amber weather warnings.
The new yellow weather warnings cover most of the UK in the days ahead, with the Met Office warning of icy stretches and sleet or snow showers developing overnight.
You can find the latest Met Office warnings and advice here.
