Freezing winds and snow from Siberia will make the UK colder than Iceland
BRITAIN is set to turn colder than Iceland as the nation braces for Siberian winds and snow.
Sub-zero temperatures are tipped to hold out through the start of meteorological spring.
Officials have warned the elderly and those with health conditions to take extra care and stay indoors during extreme cold weather.
The country is on alert for heavy and disruptive snowfall over the next fortnight, sparking warnings to stock up with essentials.
Temperatures in Britain will fall lower than those in Iceland, where they are currently hovering around 2C (35.6F), over the next week.
The mercury will start to drop from today as westerly winds are nudged out by easterlies.
Daytime temperatures across the country will struggle to get above freezing by the start of next week, meteorologists warn.
Stubborn
Met Office forecaster Martin Bowles said: “We now have greater confidence that a cold spell is coming and temperatures will start to fall through this week.
“However, from Sunday it is likely to turn very cold, with maximum daytime temperatures of freezing expected quite widely through this period.
“We have more confidence that this will bring an unstable weather situation. There is now a greater chance of snowfall next week, mostly in the East but even to western regions and London.
“We are still relatively confident this cold weather will last into the first week of March, the start of meteorological spring.”
Winds will sweep in from the Russian Arctic, where the mercury is currently below -20C (-4F).
Mr Bowles added: “By the start of next week we expect to see widespread frosts and lower temperatures. We are unsure just how low they will get at this stage.”
Cold weather will be driven by the onset of a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) pattern over the North Pole.
The phenomenon, which causes a switch in wind direction pulling air in from the east, is linked to long periods of cold weather.
The last SSW happened in January 2013 and was followed by a stubborn weather pattern that kept the nation shivering into April.
High pressure to the south of Ireland will move across Britain over the coming days, triggering the wind change.
By Sunday forecasters expect it to be wedged over Scandinavia, opening the doors to an airflow from Siberia.
Health officials have warned people to take care over the next fortnight, with those suffering from chronic problems most at risk. Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “Cold weather can really impact on people living with a lung condition.
“We advise people to check the weather before going out and if you’re not feeling well or are having trouble breathing, stay indoors and keep warm.”
Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, added: “Vulnerable people can often be caught unawares by a sudden cold blast, so it might be wise to stock up on basics so there is something warm to eat.”
St John Ambulance last night warned people to take extra care on icy roads and pavements.
A spokesman said: “As parts of the UK experience severe weather conditions we are likely to see an increase in people becoming ill and injuring themselves. The elderly and vulnerable are particularly susceptible to slips and falls – and prolonged periods in the cold could lead to hypothermia.”