WRAP UP! Coldest weekend of the year and more snow on the way
BRITAIN is facing the coldest and snowiest weekend in more than a year as Arctic conditions take a grip.
Temperatures could plummet to -12C (10.4F) in remote parts tonight with widespread lows of between freezing and -6C expected elsewhere.
Heavy snow will hit Scotland, the North of England , Wales and Western England, with falls forecast tomorrow.
Drivers were warned to prepare for delays because of icy roads, with severe cold likely to render grit useless.
Elderly and vulnerable people are urged to take extra care with a Government health warning in place until Wednesday.
A milder start to next week will swiftly give way to the next icy plunge, experts warn.
Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said regions left under a blanket of snow yesterday could see a further eight inches this weekend.
He said: “Another cold front will push through on Sunday, initially bringing rain then snow. Some places could see up to four inches although there could be eight inches over higher ground.
Flooding
“After a slightly milder start on Monday we return to a colder, north-westerly flow later in the week.”
Snow coated Scotland and swathes of Northern and Western England yesterday, causing power cuts, travel delays and school closures.
Further wintry showers are forecast across the regions today before the rest of the country is hit tomorrow.
Southern England and Wales are braced for gales of up to 70mph, threatening travel chaos and coastal flooding.
Daytime temperatures will hover around 5C in the South this weekend with the North unlikely to rise much above freezing.
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, warned that snow will return with a vengeance later next week.
The RAC has warned drivers to take extra care this weekend with icy roads and temperatures low enough to stop grit working. Spokesman Rod Dennis said: “All drivers will get their first proper taste of winter on the roads.”