AFTER THE BIG CHILL, GET READY FOR THE BIG THAW
BRITAIN’S big freeze is about to loosen its grip, with temperatures reaching double figures by tomorrow.
Children in Cumbria yesterday built snowmen during one of the North’s coldest weekends of the winter.
But in some areas it felt almost spring-like, with daffodils bursting into bloom in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Thermometers are forecast to reach up to 55F (11C) in some parts tomorrow, a big difference from the freezing weekend temperatures.
However, it may be chilly in certain areas for another day before icy winds from the east finally give way to milder conditions.
Temperatures this weekend fell below freezing in many parts as snow fell as far south as London, Kent and Buckinghamshire.
Lows of minus 9.8C (14.36F) were recorded in Scotland during the early hours of Saturday while the South dipped to around minus 1.5C (29.3F).
Met Office forecaster Luke Miall warned of a risk of rain and gales in exposed regions today before things calm down. He said: “There will be subtle changes throughout the week as things gradually turn less cold.
“There is a risk of strong winds and some rain on Monday with gusts touching gale-force across the southern and western coasts, it will be a windy but sunnier day.
“There is still a risk of rain on Tuesday although it will feel less cold everywhere with temperatures of 6C (42.8F) to 9C (48.2F) generally and 10C (50F) or even 11C (51.8F) in the South.
“Wednesday is looking more unsettled although by the end of the week high pressure builds again bringing brighter more settled weather, but the risk of some frost under clearer skies.”
But some forecasters warn we are not out of the woods yet with more cold weather likely to come before the end of the month.