Snow to sweep south in frozen Britain
SNOW is expected to reach southern England this week, forecasters warned yesterday – with some areas of the UK already colder than Ukraine and Iceland.
Arctic air has kept overnight temperatures below freezing, with Braemar, Aberdeenshire plunging to a four- year record low of - 14.1C ( 7F) at the weekend.
Low temperatures in rural areas combined with clear skies to produce a harsh frost and icy driving conditions yesterday.
Another blast of cold air from the North Atlantic is expected to bring a risk of snow to central, eastern and southern parts.
Lindsay Mears of the Met Office said: “Into Wednesday we are expecting another very cold day, with some patchy snow on low levels in central and eastern parts.
“More cold air will move in, bringing rain, sleet and strong winds – possibly turning to snow over lower levels as far south as London.”
Any snow is expected to be light and will slowly clear away eastwards during Thursday. Up to an inch- and- a- half of rain could fall in north- west Scotland today, the Met Office said.
Ms Mears added: “It’s going to be pretty cold for the rest of the week, with some strong winds on Wednesday. With the wind chill factor, it will feel very cold.”
Meanwhile, a study has revealed that UK weather records dating back 140 years could help forecasters predict snow more accurately.
Analysis of data at the University of Edinburgh revealed snowfall in Scotland is closely linked to a weather phenomenon called the North Atlantic Oscillation.
The study shows large- scale changes in air pressure in the North Atlantic can have a direct impact on where there will be snow – and how heavily it falls.
The experts say comparing past air pressure readings with snowfall data since records began in 1875 can therefore help predict hard winters.