Shivery start to 2020

After balmy beginning, winter’s back to chill us

WE were lucky enough to enjoy a dry, mild evening as the clocks struck midnight to herald the New Year.

But don’t be fooled – temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend as winter weather returns to normal.

Earlier this week a new top temperature for December was logged in the UK, with 18.7C (65.7F) recorded in the Highlands.

However the unusually warm weather will not extend into January, with forecasters predicting a typically cold month ahead.

This weekend the temperature will drop several degrees, with lows of 1C (34F) across some parts of the UK. Simon Partridge, a Met

Office forecaster, said: ‘Today it will start off generally dry for much of the UK, but pretty cloudy and misty to start off with in the South. We’re looking at highs of 11-12C (52-54F) and then that rain pushes itself out of the way overnight. Friday

is generally speaking a drier and brighter day across much of the UK. There will be some decent sunny spells in many parts.’

But he warned of ‘brisk winds in the North with some local gales there and a few snow showers across the tops of the Scottish hills’. Mr Partridge said: ‘It will be a little bit chillier. Down in the South you’re still looking at highs of 10C (50F) or 11C (52F), so nothing too bad there.’ Meanwhile the weekend is expected to be fine and dry, though temperatures will ‘start to drop off a touch’.

‘10C (50F) is probably the warmest we’ll get,’ Mr Partridge added. ‘It will be a colder feel, but it’s near average so nothing too bad.’

However, he stressed: ‘In the longer term, it looks like a typical January. Temperatures should be around normal for the time of year, but some shorter, colder spells inbetween. There’s a good chance of some snowfall in parts, it is January after all. It’s quite likely some areas of northern England may see some snow showers at times.

‘It won’t be in the next four or five days but later on in January you wouldn’t be surprised, particularly in higher ground.’

Weather forecaster WXCHARTS has predicted up to five-and-a-half inches of snow in coming weeks in areas such as Newcastle.