UK Braces for Arctic Arctic Blast as Temperatures Could Drop to −6°C
New weather maps show sub-zero lows sweeping across Scotland and northern England from Tuesday as multiple ice and cold-health alerts are issued
A brisk Arctic air mass is set to sweep across the United Kingdom on Tuesday, bringing single-digit and sub-zero overnight temperatures to much of the country, according to meteorological forecasts.
Weather maps indicate that the chill will be most intense in Scotland’s Highlands where values could plunge to around -6 °C, while major cities such as Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow are predicted to see lows near -2 °C to 0 °C.
In northern England and Wales, the cold is also expected to bite.
Rural areas of the Pennines and Midlands may fall to around -1 °C, while towns such as Sheffield and Leeds are forecast to hover near the freezing mark.
Coastal and southern districts are set to fare somewhat better, with overnight temperatures of around 5 °C to 7 °C in cities such as Cardiff and Swansea.
The national weather service has issued multiple ice and snow warnings, accompanied by amber cold-health alerts for vulnerable groups including older adults and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Forecasts warn of widespread frost, untreated icy surfaces and freshly fallen snow in exposed regions.
Road users and commuters have been advised to allow extra time for journeys and adopt winter driving precautions.
By Thursday, daylight highs are expected to remain in the low single digits in many northern areas while southern and coastal regions may climb to double figures.
The worst of the cold snap is expected to ease by Friday as wetter, milder air moves in from the west.
Authorities emphasise that even short periods of cold and ice can disrupt transport systems and pose health risks, and urge households to prepare accordingly.
Residents in rural Scotland are being reminded that overnight temperatures in open terrain could dip below -10 °C, and that accumulated snow on high ground may exceed several centimetres.
With the peak of this freeze set for the early part of the week, experts say now is the time to take simple precautions—check on vulnerable neighbours, stock up on supplies and leave extra time for travel on frozen surfaces.
Weather maps indicate that the chill will be most intense in Scotland’s Highlands where values could plunge to around -6 °C, while major cities such as Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow are predicted to see lows near -2 °C to 0 °C.
In northern England and Wales, the cold is also expected to bite.
Rural areas of the Pennines and Midlands may fall to around -1 °C, while towns such as Sheffield and Leeds are forecast to hover near the freezing mark.
Coastal and southern districts are set to fare somewhat better, with overnight temperatures of around 5 °C to 7 °C in cities such as Cardiff and Swansea.
The national weather service has issued multiple ice and snow warnings, accompanied by amber cold-health alerts for vulnerable groups including older adults and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Forecasts warn of widespread frost, untreated icy surfaces and freshly fallen snow in exposed regions.
Road users and commuters have been advised to allow extra time for journeys and adopt winter driving precautions.
By Thursday, daylight highs are expected to remain in the low single digits in many northern areas while southern and coastal regions may climb to double figures.
The worst of the cold snap is expected to ease by Friday as wetter, milder air moves in from the west.
Authorities emphasise that even short periods of cold and ice can disrupt transport systems and pose health risks, and urge households to prepare accordingly.
Residents in rural Scotland are being reminded that overnight temperatures in open terrain could dip below -10 °C, and that accumulated snow on high ground may exceed several centimetres.
With the peak of this freeze set for the early part of the week, experts say now is the time to take simple precautions—check on vulnerable neighbours, stock up on supplies and leave extra time for travel on frozen surfaces.
