FIRST BIG FREEZE OF WINTER ON THE WAY
BRITONS are bracing themselves for the big freeze with temperatures set to plummet from today.
More than an inch of snow was set to fall in parts of the country overnight amid icy conditions and temperatures as low as –10C (14F).
Met Office forecasters yesterday issued an ice warning covering nearly the whole of Britain as a blast of Arctic air sweeps across the nation.
The worst affected areas will be in Scotland, where snow has already been settling across the Western Isles.
Forecasters predicted up to oneand-a-half inches over the Highlands and Grampians today.
The Met Office said some road and rail journeys are set to be be affected, while people are warned to be careful walking on icy surfaces.
Train bosses deployed special de-icing services overnight to try to keep services running today.
Temperatures are forecast to plunge today in the wake of a weather front bringing Arctic wind and rain to many areas.
The contrast after such a mild January will have people reaching for warm coats as they feel the switch to colder temperatures.
Met Office spokesman Richard Miles said: “The story is it will be colder with widespread frosts and there will be outbreaks of wintry showers moving south and east across many parts of the country, but particularly over the eastern coast, Scotland and northern England.”
Hazards
Although flurries of snow may fall in a wide area, the Met Office predicted it would only settle in eastern areas, northern England and central and southern Scotland.
The snow would be the first some parts of the country have seen so far this winter.
The Met Office added there are signs cold air from the East could make its way to the UK until the end of the month.
Chief forecaster Dan Suri said that from today colder Arctic air will spread across the country.
He said: “The colder weather will bring a range of winter hazards, with a widespread frost and icy stretches continuing into the weekend.”
He added the snow showers expected today will be over the hills and mountains, “although snow could fall to lower levels in the North, and also some eastern parts of the country”.
Cold northerly and easterly winds are expected towards the end of next week.
Mr Suri added: “This does not guarantee a repeat of ‘Beast from the East’ conditions as some media are speculating. It is getting colder but it is too early to provide detailed forecasts on the potential severity of the weather or snowfalls.”
Several cold weather alerts have been issued after the Met Office warned Public Health England.
PHE’s Dr Emer O’Connell said: “Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold.
“Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people don’t manage to keep themselves warm enough.
“If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
“All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them.”
While Britain freezes, Australians have been warned to stay indoors as a heatwave sends tempertures to a record high.
In the South Australian town of Port Augusta, the mercury hit 48.5C (119.3F) on Tuesday, the highest since records began in 1962.