Worst winter for five years and -11C on way
First snow in days as freezing North Pole air sweeps in
THIS morning brought the first big freeze and parts of the country could see snow in days, as we head for the worst winter in five years.
As motorists woke to find car windscreens frozen after temperatures fell to -4C overnight, forecasters are warning a blast of freezing air from the North Pole will send the mercury tumbling to a bone-chilling -11C in places.
AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist Alan Reppert warned: “Snow and ice will be a much higher threat this winter, and could affect London. There is a higher-than-normal potential for temperatures below -10C further north, and also cold temperatures further south.”
Experts say parts of the North could have snow on the hills within days. Arctic winds later this year are expected to deliver our coldest winter since 201213, one of the worst on record.
December and January are both forecast to be chillier than normal, with all areas of the UK affected.
Five years ago temperatures plunged to -14C in the same two months.
Snow and ice caused mayhem on roads and rail- ways and “excess deaths” due to cold weather hit 31,000. Since then the UK has experienced a run of mild winters but that seems set to change. However, mid-November will bring a short break from the cold before winter’s icy grip strikes. Much of the north-east coast was hit by strong winds yesterday and giant waves battered the harbour wall and lighthouse at Seaham, County Durham. Two people were killed by falling trees in the Czech Republic as gales hit 112mph, while thousands were left without power when lines came crashing down and rail routes in Germany were closed for safety reasons.
THE first big freeze is here so it’s time to wrap up warm, bring in the pot plants and lag those pipes as winter approaches. But let’s hope autumn fights back for just a bit longer.