Britain Braces for Arctic Onslaught
The United Kingdom is preparing for a significant Arctic blast, with forecasters predicting a dramatic drop in temperatures and widespread snowfall. Six major cities are expected to wake up to a blanket of snow on Monday morning, December 1st, as freezing conditions sweep across Scotland and northern England.
Sub-Zero Temperatures and Widespread Snowfall
According to detailed weather maps from WXCharts, the mercury is set to plunge to a bone-chilling -6°C in the Scottish Highlands in the early hours of Monday. This cold snap will bring snow to urban centres, transforming the Monday morning commute into a winter challenge.
The cities expected to be affected are Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, and Edinburgh in Scotland, with Newcastle in England also likely to see significant snowfall. The combination of snow and ice is anticipated to create treacherous driving conditions for early-week travellers.
This wintry scene places parts of the UK in a similar weather bracket to the towering Alps and Scandinavian fjords, as an area of low pressure directs Arctic air southwards.
Weekend Rain Gives Way to Frost and Ice
The incoming cold spell follows a weekend of disruptive weather. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain across southern England and Wales, which is in force from 6am on Saturday until midnight.
Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly from the Met Office warned: "While the exact track of the low remains uncertain at this time, there is a clear signal for strong winds and periods of heavy rain, which could lead to surface water flooding and delays to road and rail travel."
Up to 20-30mm of rain is expected to drench England and Wales, with a potential for 50mm in some areas and a slim chance of 60-80mm on higher ground.
As this system clears towards the North Sea, it will be replaced by colder air. Sunday is forecast to be drier and brighter but noticeably colder, with widespread frost developing overnight into Monday, creating icy patches on untreated surfaces.
Kelly added: "Rain will also push into north-east England during Saturday, some of which could fall as snow over higher ground when the system meets colder air coming down from the north."
The weather rollercoaster continues as the weekend concludes, with forecasters indicating another Atlantic system will sweep in from the South West, setting the stage for the snowy start to the new week and further periods of heavy rain and brisk winds on Monday.
