The United Kingdom is shivering through an intense cold snap, with forecasters predicting the coldest night of the winter so far as temperatures could plunge to a biting minus 12 degrees Celsius.
Frosty Forecast and Widespread Disruption
On Friday morning, 21st November 2025, temperatures dropped below freezing across much of the country. According to the Met Office, parts of England and Wales could see lows of around minus 7C, while some areas of Scotland may experience a frigid minus 10C to minus 12C.
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge confirmed this would likely be the season's most severe cold spell. He explained that a ridge of high pressure and lighter winds were the primary reasons for the significant temperature drop, creating ideal conditions for a severe frost.
The extreme weather has already caused substantial disruption. Hundreds of schools were forced to close due to the conditions and associated snow. In northern Scotland, approximately 100 schools were shut on Thursday. Wales was also heavily affected, with 36 closures in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire, and seven in Ceredigion. In England, 33 schools closed in North Yorkshire and eight in East Yorkshire.
Further problems arose from road disruptions and homes being left without power. The Met Office had a spate of yellow ice warnings in place for Friday morning across numerous regions, including north, east, south-east, and south-west England, northern and south-eastern Scotland, and north and west Wales.
Sunshine on the Horizon
Despite the severe start, there is relief in sight. Mr. Partridge indicated that while much of the country would wake to a widespread frost on Friday morning, the day would later see widespread sunshine.
He also offered hope for a warmer weekend, stating, "Friday is really the end of the really cold weather as things turn back to average by the time we get into the weekend." This suggests that this intense cold spell is reaching its finale, with more seasonal temperatures expected to return shortly.
