UK facing colder weather than North Pole at -11C during 1,000-mile-wide chill

26 November 2023 , 16:30

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UK facing colder weather than North Pole at -11C during 1,000-mile-wide chill

Britain will be colder than the closest city to the North Pole this week as a 1,000-mile wide chill will send temperatures plunging to -11C.

Four inches of snow is expected by the end of the week, even on lower ground, the Met Office understands. There is potential, if temperatures remain so cold, for snow somewhere across the UK for 11 consecutive days, a period that runs into December.

The mercury fell to -7.7C in Shap, Cumbria, last night and, as Greenland's cold winds continue to push their way south this week, it'll continue to feel Arctic for days yet. Britain will be colder than -6C lows in Hammerfest, Norway, the world’s most northerly city, 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

The purple hue on the map highlights heavier snow

A Met Office forecaster said: “It will stay cold, with frost overnight and brighter skies on Tuesday and Wednesday before rain and some hill snow are likely to spread across parts of England and Wales during Thursday. This could be heavy and prolonged in places. Further north has wintry showers on Thursday and Friday.

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

"Over the weekend and into next week, cold conditions and northerly winds are expected with showers bringing rain, sleet and snow, most frequent across coasts in the north and east."

The Mirror reported how snow is most likely on Thursday. It'll be widespread across the country, with areas as far south as Devon expecting flurries, and heavier showers across Scotland.

Snow and ice are expected in places by the end of this week (Getty Images)

Snow could fall throughout December, forecasters believe. Ladbrokes has cut white Christmas odds to 6/4 in Edinburgh, 7/2 in Manchester, 6/1 in Birmingham and 8/1 in London. Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: "The odds say it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

The weeks leading to Christmas Day will be unsettled and cold, particularly overnight when an -11C freeze are on the cards in Scotland, with -5C even in southern England.

A BBC Weather forecaster said: "It's going to be chilly, with below-average temperatures. There will be sleet and snow over hills and mountains, perhaps down to sea-level at times in the North.

"A similar pattern is probably going to linger into the following week. All areas should stay colder than average, with sleet and snow on higher ground."

Alistair Grant