The UK is set for a stark and chilly shift in conditions this week, with forecasters warning that temperatures will plummet to feel as cold as -7C in some areas. This comes after a relatively mild start to the week, marking a dramatic change for the nation.
From Mild to Icy: A Dramatic Temperature Drop
The beginning of the week saw unseasonably mild conditions, with the mercury reaching 14C in Bude, Cornwall and 13.6C in Pershore, Worcestershire on Monday. However, that brief respite is now over. The Met Office forecasts an unsettled and increasingly cold period, driven by sharp easterly winds that will make the air feel significantly colder than the actual thermometer reading.
New weather maps from Metdesk illustrate the incoming freeze, showing the UK turning an icy blue by Friday. By 3pm on Friday, the wind chill factor is predicted to make it feel as cold as -7C in some regions, with a feels-like temperature of freezing extending as far south as Essex.
Unsettled Conditions: Hail, Thunder, and Gales
Before the deepest cold arrives, the country must first contend with turbulent weather. The Met Office warns of scattered, heavy, and blustery showers spreading across the UK, bringing a risk of hail and thunder. These conditions will be accompanied by strengthening winds, which are key to the brutal wind chill.
Gusts could reach speeds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal areas, such as south Wales and Devon. "Generally temperatures will be close to average, but it will likely feel quite chilly in the often wet and breezy conditions," the forecaster stated.
Flooding Aftermath and Snow Threat
This cold snap follows a period of intense rainfall, for which the Met Office issued weather warnings on Monday. Parts of Wales bore the brunt, with nearly three inches of rain falling in north Wales. Significant totals were also recorded in England, including 62mm in Shap, Cumbria and 38.8mm in Okehampton, Devon. As a result, several flood alerts remain in place, particularly across East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.
Looking ahead, meteorologists indicate that as temperatures continue to drop into next week, snow is likely. The most severe blizzard conditions are expected across northern England, including Lancashire, later in the week. Independent forecaster Netweather agrees with the unsettled outlook, noting that any snow will initially be confined to northern hills but that periods of strong winds could be severe enough to warrant named storms.
Britons are advised to prepare for a sharp decline in conditions, ensuring they are wrapped up against the biting wind chill and staying updated on the latest weather and travel warnings.
