UK braced for ‘coldest week of the winter’

THE COLDEST week of the winter is set to begin with most of the nation braced for snowfall.

A series of weather warnings are in place, forecasting snow and ice throughout this week, the Met Office said.

Temperatures are expected to plummet as low as minus 7C in some parts of the UK, while the bulk of the country can expect to shiver through sub-zero temperatures.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the first full week of February would probably be “one of our coldest weeks of this winter so far”.

He added: “It’s going to be a cold week, plenty of dry weather around, but many places will probably see some snow at some point during the week, but for a lot of us not really amounting to much at all.

“Probably one of our coldest weeks of this winter so far, but snowfall wise, doesn’t really look too disruptive at this stage.”

Between 9pm today and 3pm tomorrow, there is a chance of snow and ice for the North of England, Northern Ireland, north Wales and Scotland.

In Yorkshire, while the odd snow shower is possible, most places will stay dry with a maximum temperature of 3C.

Early intermittent snow is expected to clear tomorrow before “very cold” and frosty conditions overnight, according to the Met Office.

A sunny but cold start is forecasted for Wednesday, with cloud thickening later.

Parts of England are facing a yellow warning from 8pm today until 9am on Wednesday – including large parts of North and West Yorkshire – meaning some roads and railways may be affected, with longer journey times and delays to public transport possible.

Rain, sleet and snow are then due in Yorkshire on Thursday, spreading towards the southeast, the agency said.

The cold snap is expected to grip Britain until at least next weekend, with the chance that milder weather may not arrive until the middle of the following week.