BIG FREEZE TO LAST A MONTH
Britain facing new weather alert in run-up to Christmas
BITTER winds, sleet and snow will plunge Britain into a deep freeze in the month to Christmas.
Temperatures nosedived at the weekend as polar air pushed the mercury below -6C (21F) in parts.
The Met Office warned of below-average temperatures on the way and advised people to wrap up for harsh frosts, icy roads and possible snow.
Forecaster Steven Keates said: “The theme for this week is going to be cold, and it will certainly feel like we are going into the meteorological winter. Brisk winds will make it feel even colder and we could see the odd gale in exposed spots over the next few days.
“There will continue to be the risk of snowfall over high ground with showers along eastern and western coasts.
“Some of these could be wintry while further inland
we are more likely to see sleet or hail. Monday should be relatively mild in parts of the South, however we are back into a northerly airflow from Tuesday.
“The coldest day of the week is likely to be Thursday.”
Temperatures will dip to between -3C and -5C overnight in rural spots with lows of freezing expected widely this week, he said.
He warned to expect harsh morning frosts and icy roads with daytime highs struggling to get above single figures.
Long-range forecasts point towards Britain remaining in a cold, wintry weather pattern until the end of December, he added.
He said: “The general signal for the run-up to Christmas is that it will be colder than average and there will be a risk of wintry showers in this regime although it is difficult to determine how much snow there will be.
“There will be a greater chance of seeing overnight frosts and nagging winds will make it feel chilly although there may perhaps be brief milder periods in the South.
“Overall, looking at the three to four week period, we expect it to be colder than usual and certainly a contrast to the mild Decembers of the past two or three years.”
The Met Office with Public Health England this weekend issued the first health alert of the season.
It warned extreme cold weather will return over the coming days with another alert likely to be issued on Wednesday.
Disrupt
It states: “This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.
“A temporary incursion of warmer air is expected on Monday, with the colder air forecast to return by Tuesday. This is likely to require a further alert from Wednesday.”
Some long-range forecasters predict this winter could be the coldest for seven years, matching the big freeze of 2010/11.
Health experts have urged the elderly and vulnerable to prepare for harsh weather amid forecasts for extreme cold weather.
Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, said: “The changing weather patterns can mean that we can get caught unawares by a sudden cold blast.
“It might be wise to stock up on basics so there is something warm to eat and will save you having to venture out in the worst of the weather.
“Cold snaps can often catch out the elderly and vulnerable and it’s even more important that we check on our relatives, friends and neighbours to ensure they are not struggling and ensure that they can keep warm and have they food and items they need.”
Bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on the coldest winter on record from 2-1 to evens with 4-1 on a White Christmas. Spokesman David Stevens said: “While much of the country shivers the growing chance of a record-breaking cold winter has the bookies sweating. The odds are good news for those dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Ladbrokes has also taken the axe to festive snow odds offering 8/15 from 4/5 – with 5/2 on the coldest November ever.
Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “The sun might be shining but the odds are shivering south as much as the mercury is.
“It looks like the UK could finally see a proper White Christmas this year,” she added.
The Met Office’s 30-day outlook states: “It looks likely that cold conditions may persist across the United Kingdom.
Killer
“We are likely to see a mixture of sunshine and showers for many, with the showers turning increasingly wintry, mainly over the hills, but not exclusively.
“Temperatures will probably be below-average through to mid-December.” Exacta Weather’s James Madden warned that this winter could pack the hardest punch since the killer freeze from December 2010 into 2011.
He said: “We expect further widespread snow into the start of December with wintry weather featuring as we go into the meteorological winter.
“Our forecasts are indicating a higher than normal possibility for a potential White Christmas in places.”