WHACK FROST
Snow & floods could cause Christmas travel chaos
BRITAIN is facing the cold- est Christmas for a decade.
Temperatures will nosedive in time for the big day as a 1,000- milewide polar plunge sweeps in, threatening travel chaos.
Parts of the north will plummet to - 6C overnight, and Christmas Day will dawn with a near- nationwide freeze and frost.
Coral’s John Hill said: “As we get closer to the day, there is the prospect of a white Christmas.
“Our betting suggests Edinburgh and Newcastle are favourites.”
Snow is expected over the weekend in parts of north- east England, and southern regions can expect rain resulting in flooded roads and railway lines.
The Met Office forecasts highs of 4C to 8C on Christmas Day, lower than 2013’ s 9.4C UK maximum.
Christmas Day’s bitter temperatures will make it the coldest December 25 since 2010, which saw - 18C in Scotland. A Boxing Day storm will follow, with the Met Office forecasting another chill and possible white new year.
Katharine Smith, of the Environment Agency, warned drivers not to try to plough through surface water on roads where there has been heavy rain. She said: “We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers. It is often deeper than it looks.
“Just 30cm of flowing water enough to float your car.”
Bookmakers have cut odds of snow in Britain on Christmas Day to just 1- 2.
Snow on December 25 would make it the first white Christmas for five years.
The odds on Newcastle and Edinburgh having a white Christmas are 2- 1 with Cardiff and Manchester at 5- 1.
John Hill added: “London is unlikely to have a white Christmas.” is