The UK is being hit by an Arctic blast with temperatures plummeting and we are facing snow flurries which will fall for 72 hours in parts of the country according to weather maps
Brits are set for an Arctic blast bringing freezing temperatures with weather maps showing 72 hours of snow.
It has been a mild week so far due to southwesterly air but that has now changed with cold air coming from the northwest. Temperatures have plummeted and it will remain colder over the coming days and into the weekend.
BBC weather forecaster Ben Rich looking to Thursday said: “We are all into these cold north or northwesterly winds up to 40mph or more quite widely. One or two showers in these western and northern parts, some of those wintry over higher ground. Top temperatures of 5C to 9C but when we factor in the strength of the winds it will feel a little colder than that.”
It is a similar story for the following days and snow maps from WXCharts show that there will be flurries across parts of the country continually from 9am today until 3pm on Sunday. Most of the snow will fall in the north west and central parts of Scotland while there could also be flurries in north and central Wales. Then Sunday will see the more flurries with most of Scotland, Wales and north west England under snow clouds.
The weather forecast from the Met office also states: “Many inland areas will see a cold, but sunny day on Thursday, with temperatures feeling chilly thanks to a brisk northwesterly breeze. Frequent showers, which may be wintry at times, are likely in central and northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and western parts of England.”
The Met Office is also predicting a “widespread frost” on Friday morning while into the weekend a low pressure system will bring wet weather and strong winds. “Rain will also move in on Saturday, with the highest accumulations in the northwest, followed by frequent heavy showers which will turn increasingly wintry on higher ground later,” it states.
“A covering of snow is possible for some hills and mountains as far south as the Peak District by Sunday morning. Sunday brings a mix of sunny intervals, blustery showers, and perhaps longer spells of rain in the north. Showers will be most frequent and heavy in northern and western areas, falling as a wintry mix of sleet and snow for some. Gales are expected in exposed parts of the north and west, with windchill making temperatures feel rather cool.”
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “A deep area of low pressure is expected to pass to the north of Scotland on Saturday, heading towards southwest Norway. Yellow wind warnings are currently in place across northern and western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, where there’s a small chance of gusts in excess of 80mph across parts of the Hebrides, Orkney, and parts of the north and west Scottish mainland coast.
“Delays or cancellations to sea and air transport are possible given these winds, amongst other impacts. More generally however, gusts of 60-75mph are likely and when coinciding with daytime travel in the busier pre-Christmas period, may cause some travel disruption.”
