Cold weather alert issued as Met Office warns temperatures to plummet in days

05 January 2024 , 12:51

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Cold weather alert issued as Met Office warns temperatures to plummet in days

A new cold weather alert has been issued with temperatures set to plummet with a freezing weekend in store for many.

The Met Office say the cold snap will be caused by high pressure building over the UK into the next week, with drivers urged to be cautious of ice. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed: "A brisk easterly wind developing across the south over the weekend will make it feel much colder, with the added wind chill.

"Temperatures are likely to be a few degrees below average, across much of the UK, especially overnight, with more widespread frosts than of late. Ice is likely to be an issue for many given the very wet ground in most areas. It is probably this cold spell may last well into the following week."

The warning comes into force at 9am on Saturday and expires at noon on January 12. The chilly turn comes after the disruption caused by strong winds and rain from Storm Henk earlier in the week, which claimed a second life when a woman has died in a collision with a fallen tree.

A cold weather alert has been issued with temperatures set to plummet over the coming days

Hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across the UK in the aftermath of torrential rainfall. It has led to rescue missions around Britain, bringing with it travel chaos for millions. The Environment Agency has issued 305 flood warnings across England.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

BBC forecaster Darren Bett said: "In anticipation of the change to lower temperatures the UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert covering the whole of England from 9am on Saturday 6 January to midday on Tuesday 9 January.

"Forecasters are expecting a blocking pattern, specifically an omega block, to develop over the Atlantic and Europe. An omega block is so called because the jet stream distorts into the shape of the last letter of the Greek alphabet, omega. This blocking pattern can be difficult to break and the colder and drier spell could last until the middle of January at least."

Weather maps show the mercury will barely hit 1C across South Lanarkshire and Scottish Borders even at midday, and it'll be freezing in parts of Cumbria and Northumbria for most of Sunday. Looking ahead to next week, the Met Office added: "Much colder than recently, with frost probably becoming quite widespread and some freezing fog patches are possible in places."

Sam Elliott-Gibbs