Temperatures are set to plunge to -7C in parts of the UK as a 608-mile snow wall sweeps the nation, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue its first cold-health alert of the winter.
Weather maps produced by WXCharts show freezing conditions gripping locations from Fort William in Scotland down to Cornwall in England. The cold snap is expected to hit from Tuesday, November 17, with snow forecast across northern and western Scotland, including Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness, while heavy rain is set to batter the rest of the country.
Temperature plunge and snow forecast
Forecasters warn that temperatures could drop to -7C around Fort William, while other parts of Scotland, including Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh, are expected to see temperatures between -3C and -5C, according to the maps. This follows a stark contrast to the 14C recorded on Tuesday in Camborne, Cornwall.
The UKHSA has issued a yellow cold health alert for the Northwest of England and West Midlands from 9am on Thursday to midday on Saturday. The agency warned that plummeting temperatures could heap additional pressure on health and care services, urging the public to keep a watchful eye on loved ones and neighbours.
Frost and weekend outlook
Temperatures are set to fall well below the seasonal norm by Thursday and Friday, with widespread frost expected across large swathes of the nation. In certain sheltered rural locations particularly susceptible to freezing conditions, thermometers could drop as low as -6C or -7C. Overnight frost is forecast for multiple areas, particularly across the British countryside, although these icy conditions are expected to retreat mainly to southern parts as the weekend progresses.
The Met Office's long-range outlook for November 16 to 25 states: "Following the tail end of the colder, more settled conditions seen over the weekend, a marked transition to more changeable conditions is expected at the start of the period."
"This will allow areas of low pressure to move in from the Atlantic and bring bands of rain and periods of windy weather. There will be some brighter, showery spells in-between however, particularly in the north."
"Overall, this period is likely to be wetter than average for the majority of the country. And whilst colder conditions will be possible at times, it will often be mild, with temperatures near or a little above average for the time of year."
