Britain is set to be hit by blizzards and temperatures as low as -11C as an Arctic blast sweeps across the country next week, forecasters have warned.
The cold weather front will bring a significant drop in temperatures, with heavy snowfall expected in parts of northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and southwest England. Gusts of up to 65mph could cause blizzards in these areas.
BBC Weather meteorologist Nick Miller said: "After hitting 13C in some spots on Friday, over the weekend the weather turns colder, windier too. We will all see some wet weather at some stage as low pressure moves right across the UK." He added that blizzards are possible in northern Scotland for a time, with strong winds causing wind chill issues.
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell noted that overnight temperatures could drop below -10C where there is lying snow, with widespread frost and ice risks. "The cold weather looks set to continue into February when there is a risk of a more easterly weather pattern developing," she said.
The first snow is expected in northern Scotland on Sunday, with the chill spreading southward through Tuesday and Wednesday. WX charts show much of the UK blanketed in snow early next week, with up to 13 inches possible in some areas.
