Britons are bracing for another snowstorm as over 60 centimeters of snowfall hits in a chilling Arctic outbreak of -14C temperatures.
The UK is currently under the grip of a cold streak, with numerous weather alerts for icy conditions and snowfall spanning the country until tomorrow. Apart from heavy snowfall, temperatures have plummeted well below freezing, hitting a low of -10.9C in Shap, Cumbria, on Sunday night.
The cold spell is expected to intensify towards the end of the week as Arctic air continues its southward movement, colliding with low-pressure systems from the Atlantic carrying moist air, resulting in significant snowfall.
A WXCharts map for 9 pm on Thursday indicates a low-pressure system positioned just off the southwest coast of England, bringing heavy rain to the south and snow flurries to northern England.
This low-pressure system is forecasted to move inland overnight into Friday, interacting with cold air to bring snow even to southern England throughout the day. Central Scotland is expected to receive more than 60cm of snow, with most areas across the country blanketed in white.
A broad band of snow is predicted to stretch across southern England, possibly accumulating to depths exceeding 20cm.
The wintry conditions are set to persist into Saturday, with bone-chilling temperatures especially in the north. Projections show temperatures dropping to -14C in Scotland and -9C in northern England by midday Saturday, while southern regions may see temperatures barely rising above 1C.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, emphasized the UK will face a variety of winter weather challenges during the week, including low temperatures, snow showers, and the risk of icy conditions. The agency has issued several severe weather warnings, likely to be updated as the week progresses.
Additionally, the national weather agency has cautioned about the potential impact of strong winds and heavy precipitation later in the week, highlighting uncertainties regarding the exact position of the low-pressure system. Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone, emphasized the importance of staying updated with the evolving weather forecasts to track the potential weather impacts accurately.