Brace for the Big Freeze: UK Areas Set to Plunge Below Freezing

Britain is bracing for a blast of Arctic air that is expected to plunge temperatures well below freezing across the country this week. The Met Office has issued snow and ice warnings for large parts of Scotland, northern England, and Wales, as well as yellow cold weather alerts for vulnerable populations.

Temperatures are predicted to fall to as low as -15°C in some rural areas, particularly in Scotland, while towns and cities will hover around -2°C to -5°C overnight. Daytime temperatures are not expected to climb much higher, with single-digit highs in many areas.

Heavy snowfall is anticipated in parts of Scotland, northern England, and North Yorkshire, with up to 15 cm expected in higher regions. Areas such as Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, and Norfolk will likely experience significant freezing conditions. Snow showers will make untreated roads and pavements hazardous, prompting warnings about travel disruptions and possible delays on major routes and railways.

The UK Health Security Agency has emphasized the need for precautions during this cold snap, particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and young children. Cold weather payments have been triggered for households in affected regions to help with heating costs.

This spell of freezing weather is expected to continue into next week, with forecasters monitoring the development of potential snow events in central and southern England. While snow accumulation in southern areas may be transient, conditions will remain cold and frosty for most of the country【6】【7】.