The Met Office has issued a fresh polar vortex forecast as temperatures are poised to nosedive across swathes of the UK this week. Britain is currently enjoying another bout of mild autumnal weather, with the mercury exceeding 20C near Exeter, Devon, and in Hereford on Tuesday. However, temperatures will now start to drop and a band of rain is set to sweep eastwards across the UK. This will be heavy across parts of the Northwest of England.
Temperatures to plunge with daytime lows of 11C
Temperatures will start to plunge afterwards with daytime lows of 11C forecast on Wednesday. Even across the Southeast of England, the mercury is unlikely to exceed 15C at the end of the week. In its latest UK outlook covering Thursday to Saturday, the Met Office stated: "Winds fall lighter as a band of rain slowly moves south across the country. Cooler air moves in by Friday, with largely dry and bright weather for the weekend."
Any rain this week, though, could be thundery, particularly across northern regions. Despite the storms and speculation on social media, wintery conditions are not forecast in the coming days. The Met Office confirmed that, while it will be chilly with frosty mornings, snow is highly unlikely anytime soon. This is despite a looming stratospheric polar vortex, which is expected to herald a change to conditions.
Warm start to the week but cooler air moves in
It was, however, warm in the west at the start of the week with 20.3C recorded in Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, reports the Express. Winds will, though, make it feel markedly different for the rest of the week. Friday is then predicted to turn brighter with sunny spells and the chance of a few isolated showers, followed by a largely dry and bright Saturday.
Temperatures in London highlight the extent of the shift, with highs of approximately 21C on Tuesday before plummeting to around 15C by Friday. Come the weekend, daytime temperatures are forecast to barely reach the mid-teens, while overnight temperatures will also take a dive. The colder spell arrives as the Met Office forecasts high pressure will linger close to the UK throughout much of the latter half of October, delivering largely settled conditions but a growing likelihood of chilly and frosty mornings.
Long-range outlook for late October
In its long-range outlook for October 17 to October 26, the Met Office stated: "High pressure is expected to lie close to or across the UK through much of this period. This will mean largely fine and dry weather for many, perhaps with some overnight mist and fog patches. Weak frontal systems could bring some rain at times and if this happens it is most likely in the far south or perhaps far north of the UK. Winds are expected to be mostly light."
