The Met Office has moved to clear up a common winter weather confusion, explaining exactly why forecasts often show two different temperatures for the same location. The clarification comes as the UK shivers through a severe cold snap, with blankets of snow and ice causing disruption across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Why Two Temperatures Appear on Your Forecast
Since the start of 2026, the nation has been braced for Baltic conditions. On January 6, six separate weather warnings were active nationwide. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert warned of temperatures dropping below freezing and "a range of winter weather hazards through the week". Several severe cold weather alerts have been issued, with updates expected.
The puzzling dual-temperature display on apps and forecasts recently caught the attention of TV personality Scarlett Moffatt. The mum-of-one took to TikTok, expressing her bafflement after her app showed it was 1°C but felt like -2°C. "Surely, if it feels like it, then it is [that temperature], right?" she questioned her followers.
The Science Behind the 'Feels Like' Reading
Contrary to what its informal name might suggest, the 'feels like' temperature is not a guess. The Met Office confirms it is a calculated figure designed to give a more accurate impression of outdoor conditions. Specialists say this is the reading people should pay the most attention to.
A Met Office spokesperson explained that the calculation considers factors beyond what a simple thermometer measures. "We look into things like relative humidity and the strength of the wind at around five feet off the ground," they said.
"For example, in winter, a strong wind can make you feel much colder than the measured temperature would indicate. Likewise, on a humid day in summer, it can feel uncomfortably hotter than the air temperatures would suggest on their own."
Which Temperature Should You Trust?
The 'feels like' or 'apparent' temperature is derived using a dedicated formula. This formula applies the understood effects of wind chill at lower temperatures and the heat index at higher temperatures, blending the two for conditions in between.
This means the 'feels like' value provides a far better guide for planning your day. It tells you how the combination of air temperature, wind, and humidity will actually impact your body when you step outside. During the current icy spell, the significant gap between the two numbers is primarily due to wind chill, making it feel several degrees colder than the mercury shows.
So, while the actual temperature is a precise measurement of the air, the 'feels like' temperature is the crucial metric for deciding whether you need that extra layer, or if it's safe for vulnerable groups to be outdoors for extended periods.
