Halloween chiller! Fright for UK as first snow arrives
BRITAIN is in the grip of the first significant cold snap for six months as Arctic air sweeps in.
hilly areas of the Pennines and north wales were due to wake up to a dusting of snow today, with other places set to have a frosty start.
Daytime temperatures have plunged from highs of 17-18c (6364F) last week to just 7c (45F) today, even in parts of the South.
Gritters are on standby across the country as the frosts are set to continue over the next two nights, bringing lows of -2c (28F).
A yellow warning to plan ahead for snow and ice was in place for northern Scotland from last night into this morning, while an ice warning covered northern ireland from the early hours of today.
The weekend is set to be mostly dry, bright and cold, but scattered showers are possible. Rain is most likely near the east coast, with potential for hail and thunder.
Met office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said: ‘we have had a pretty mild october so far and a warm start to autumn in places – so it will be a big change for everybody as we go through the weekend. certainly it’s time to get the warm winter clothes out.’
Monday is again set to be crisp, cold and sunny, with possible rain in the East. More showers are expected in central, southern and eastern England on Tuesday.
Sunny spells are forecast for next week but there will be showers in the west on wednesday. Later on in the week, it is likely to be settled in the South, but windy with rain further north and becoming milder.
Met office forecaster Aidan McGivern said most parts of the country will experience ‘ crisp, autumnal days’ over the weekend and into next week, as an area of high pressure remains dominant.
But, describing the impact of strong, northerly winds, Mr McGivern warned: ‘Temperatures on the thermometer will be 5-7c (4145F) but will feel like 3-4c (37-39F).’