BEWARE 80MPH KILLER STORM TONIGHT
STORM Fionn blasted Britain yesterday as gales, blizzards and torrential downpours caused chaos – and worse is to come.
Temperatures will plunge to -10C (14F) in the run-up to the weekend, with experts warning of more snow, ice and harsh frosts.
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for winds of up to 80mph for today and tomorrow.
Separate warnings for almost a foot of snow have been issued across Scotland, northern and central England and Wales.
Government forecasters last night upgraded a yellow weather alert for snow and ice to a more serious amber caution.
The onslaught will begin tonight, with gale force winds and heavy rain set to hit parts of the country.
The freezing conditions and severe weather warnings have seen bookmakers Ladbrokes slash the odds on this winter becoming the coldest on record from 3-1 to 7-4, with 4-6 on this month being the coldest January ever.
The Irish meteorological service Met Eireann last night named Fionn the sixth storm of the season following Eleanor, which struck over New Year.
Danger
Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: “We are expecting a period of very wet and windy weather on Tuesday night and although this will die down on Wednesday, another system is close behind.
“While Scotland will avoid the worst of the weather on Wednesday night much of the country will see strong winds with gusts of up to 80mph in exposed parts.
“We are then back into a polar maritime airmass, bringing further snow showers and overnight temperatures in minus double digits.
“We expect this weather to continue to the end of the week and it will turn much colder. This will bring the risk of severe frosts with overnight temperatures widely below freezing.”
Strong winds will clash with high tides along western and north-western coasts, bringing a risk of flooding, she added.
Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders said: “Very strong winds will affect parts of the UK during Wednesday night and into Thursday.
“Road, rail and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations. Power cuts may occur with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
“Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are pos-sible, along with damage to buildings.”