UK weather forecast – White Christmas predicted after -9C PLUNGE sends Britain colder than Russia
BRITS are poised for a white Christmas as temperatures plummet to -9C – making the UK colder than Russia.
The Met Office forecast widespread frost and freezing fog to start the week after two inches of snow hit northern England’s higher ground last night.
Lows are forecast to nudge -9C in Scotland’s Highlands tomorrow morning – considerably cooler than the -1C forecast for St Petersburg.
Sub-freezing temperatures have sparked a severe weather warning for ice in parts of Scotland and Northern England from 3am until mid-morning on Monday.
The Met Office predicted the mercury would plummet “widely below zero” and warned of icy stretches on roads and up to 2cm snow on roads.
But further warnings for ice and snow throughout the UK have now been lifted.
FRANTIC FRIDAY
After a freezing start to the week, washouts and strong winds will follow on from Wednesday and Thursday – just as hundreds of schools break up for the festive period.
A forecast model from Netweather shows 200mph high-altitude Atlantic jet-stream winds catapulting gales and soggy conditions to Britain on the last weekend before Christmas.
The slam-dunk could coincide with some of the busiest leisure travel days of the year – so-called “Frantic Friday” and “Panic Saturday” – as last-minute shoppers flood the high streets.
Snow is also predicted to fall in Midlands and North England on December 25, as the map above shows.
The odds of snow on the big day are falling as fast as the temperatures.
Coral spokesman John Hill
Bookies have now slashed the odds to 10/11 for anywhere in the UK to see Christmas snow – with 4/1 in Glasgow, 7/1 in Birmingham and 10/1 in London.
The Environment Agency said: “Local river and surface water flooding is possible on Wednesday and Thursday in the South.
“Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.”
Snow threatens the North – even at lower levels – at times, including on Thursday and during Christmas week.
Coral spokesman John Hill said: “The odds of snow on the big day are falling as fast as the temperatures.”
Recent Christmases have seen travellers stranded by bad weather just before December 25.
Storms Barbara and Conor hit with hurricane-force winds and deluges in the days before Christmas 2016, after Storm Eva struck on Christmas Eve 2015.
SPONSORED CONTENT: How to save £268 a year off your energy bills
BEAT energy price rises year after year with Switchcraft. It’s free and it could save you an average of £268 a year.
- Sign up, easily compare tariffs and switch
- Once you sign up, Switchcraft will automatically find you a cheaper deal when a better tariff comes up, saving you time, hassle and money.
- It takes just 3 minutes. That’s it!
- Click here to get saving!
News UK has a brand partnership with Switchcraft.