Britain’s weather will change this week after a mild start to 2022. Temperatures drop to -4C (25F), and stormy conditions bring 70mph winds with six inches of snow.
The UK is braced for widespread frost in the coming days with the mercury expected to drop to below average for January in some places – and the Met Office warned ‘anything could happen’ with snow drifts in Scotland.
The rain will move southwards this morning bringing with it colder temperatures. But, parts of England or Wales might still be experiencing temperatures around 12C (54F) today before the temperatures drop tomorrow.
Midweek will see a chilling overnight temperature of -3C (26.6F). This will cause frost and icy roads conditions. On Wednesday, temperatures in Scotland could drop to -4C (30F)
After torrential rains over the past week, flood risks remain in numerous areas throughout Britain. There are nearly 50 warnings or alerts in place.
Many were hit by torrential rains yesterday after balmy conditions. Yesterday, the Met Office was advising of yellow weather for “a band of heavy thunderstorms” moving eastwards across Southern England.
This was the result of the warmest New Year’s Day ever on Saturday, when St James’s Park, London, registered 16.3C (61.3F). It beat the previous record of 15.6C (60.1) set in Bude in Cornwall more than 100 years ago, in 1916.
This was after last Friday’s country-wide mildest New Years Eve, when Merryfield in Somerset recorded 15.8C (60.4F), surpassing the 14.8C (58.5F) record set at Colwyn Bay in North Wales in 2011.
This morning, stormy weather erupted on Blackpool’s beachfront in Lancashire after it was very dry in Britain.
Yesterday’s strong wind brought waves to the shores of Folkestone (Kent) and a fisherman.
The strong winds at Camber Beach, East Sussex are a great place to kitesurf, before the weather turns colder.
After Britain’s warmest New Year, yesterday saw a man with his dog at Cromer beach in North Norfolk.
Temperatures reached double figures in the Azores last week due to warm subtropical air. This is a season when temperatures rarely exceed 7C (45F).
Met Office Weather Forecaster Dan Stroud said that after record breaking heat and temperatures in New Year’s Eve, there will be a noticeable change.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday temperatures will fall to an average level or below. There may be widespread frost.
“Fairly heavy snow will hit the Scottish Highlands and bring blizzard conditions. Also, snowfall is expected in North Wales as well as the Pennines. This contrasts with the previous few days.
High-altitude snow and strong winds can make driving difficult on roads in Scotland. Bus, ferry, and train services may also be disrupted, and trips could take longer or even be cancelled.
The possibility exists that winds up to 70mph could cause snowstorms. Higher routes, such as Central and Tayside and Fife and Grampian and Highlands and Islands and Orkney and Shetland are also susceptible to drifting snow.
It is possible for vehicles with high sides to delay on roads and bridges. High waves and spray are also a danger to seafronts.
Simon Partridge of the Met Office said that January will make its entrance after a strangely-warm new year. Thirty hours is a long time for a weather warning to be in place – the whole of Tuesday and up to 6am on Wednesday.
This Met Office radar of precipitation shows where snow falls in Scotland today morning
There is still a flood threat in many areas of England following torrential rains last week. 30 alerts are in effect today.
There are six flood warnings for Scotland and four warnings for Scotland, and six flood alerts for Wales.
“Some ferry trips will be cancelled due to the wind, but there is no danger from poor road visibility. Anything can happen once snow begins to fall. It is important to be aware of the danger zone.
From midday until 6pm yesterday, thunderstorm warnings were in effect for large portions of the South. The South Coast was hit with heavy rains and gusty winds.
The southern Pennines were also hit by downpours, which made driving difficult. Yesterday’s temperature in Writtal (Essex) was 12.7C (54.9F), which was well above the average for this time of year.
Just weeks after Storm Arwen caused significant snowfall in Scotland and Northern England, the impending blizzards are expected to cause massive power outages throughout large areas of the country.