Snow could strike UK in days as temperatures plummet to -1C in sudden cold snap

11 October 2023 , 04:25

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Snow could strike UK in days as temperatures plummet to -1C in sudden cold snap

Britain is set to be struck by a serious cold snap in a matter of hours, with forecasts showing the possibility of sub-zero temperatures - and snow is also on the cards.

The Indian Summer we've been basking in is expected to melt away this week, with the Met Office predicting a sharp drop off across parts of the UK as mid-October approaches. It comes after the balmy unseasonal weather saw the heat soaring over the weekend with the warmest temperatures in five years for October - the peak being 25.8C in London's Kew Gardens on Sunday. The average for the month is usually just 16C.

Clare Nasir during her forecast said Thursday could see temperatures as low as -1C

Tuesday was mostly dry with warm sunshine developing for many, before rain struck across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northwest England as fog affected parts of the southern and western coasts. Wednesday will see a huge drop off, which will quickly spiral. Weather maps show the early hours of Thursday could reach just -1C in Northern Ireland.

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “A wet evening and a wet night into Thursday morning. But clearer skies further north that will allow temperatures to dip to single figures and close to freezing across rural spots. So Northern Ireland could see lowest temperature around minus one degree Celsius. The glens of Scotland perhaps down to around zero." However, Ms Nasir added central southern England could cling onto double figures.

The cold snap brings an end to the Indian Summer (Met Office)

The national weather agency has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 6am today until 6pm this evening, stating: "Heavy rain is likely to cause some disruption to travel." Elsewhere, it goes on to say: "The heaviest rain is expected to be across Wales on Wednesday, with some central and southern parts of England and Wales potentially having a very wet day on Friday.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

"Further north, there will be some sunshine, but also some showers, which will turn heavier, more frequent later in the week and, as colder conditions become established from the north, some snow is likely for Scottish mountains.

Rain is set to strike across the UK (PA Archive/PA Images)

"All parts of the UK will turn much cooler by the weekend, with daytime temperatures potentially up to 10C colder than earlier this week across southern England. The first widespread overnight frost of the season is also likely across many central and northern areas over the weekend."

According to some weather maps, snow is expected to hit Scotland at 4am on Sunday, October 15. Far north parts of England, including Northumberland, are also expected to see snowfall at roughly 2cm per hour. The long-range forecast from the Met Office for this Sunday, also mentioned "the possibility of hail and thunderstorms, as well as snow on higher ground" - but has since been altered.

Ryan Merrifield