Storm Caroline brings snow and 80mph gales

EXPECT to wrap up tight this weekend as Storm Caroline brings widespread snow and gales of up to 80mph.

Britain was yesterday warned to brace for an Arctic blast that will see temperatures drop to as low as -8C (17F).

The cold snap will begin today with wet and windy conditions across the country.

Temperatures will then start to plummet as Storm Caroline takes hold on Thursday, with a low of -3C (26F) in the North and -1C (30F) in the South. Freezing gales will make it feel even colder, with a wind chill factor of around -16C (3F) in some northern regions and -5C (23F) in the South.

More than two inches of snow is expected in parts of the North and West as well as in some coastal areas by the weekend.

Large portions of the country could see rain, sleet and snow as an Arctic freeze is blown over from Siberia.

As it announced the third named storm of the season, the Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning for gales of up to 80mph (130kph) in northern Scotland as the region braces for the storm. A yellow snow and ice warning is in place for Friday for Scotland, Northern Ireland, western England and Wales.

The Met Office said in a statement yesterday: ‘Storm Caroline is expected to bring a spell of very windy weather to northern Scotland on Thursday.

‘ Gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected quite widely, with gusts to 80mph possible near northfacing mainland coasts and across the isles.’

It added: ‘Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some short-term loss of power and other services is possible.’