The 'Beast from the East' could soon return as the recent mild weather takes a turn. The Met Office has released their latest weather update with a warning of cold temperatures at the start of March.
Forecasters say it could reach as low as -7C. Some parts of the UK will be faced with wintry weather and sub-zero temperatures in the coming weeks.
Bristol Live reports a yellow weather warning for strong winds on Friday (February 17). The warning covers Scotland and the northeast of England and runs until the early evening.
Read more: Met offices gives weather verdict on reports of -4C freeze
According to Weather25, Nottingham could see snowfall on Thursday, March 2, and Friday, March 3, where temperatures are expected to be as low as 1C.
Recent high pressure has meant temperatures peaking in the high teens in some areas. However, colder weather is now around the corner.
Aidan McGivern, a Met Office forecaster, said: "It looks as though there are some changes on the way from the middle of next week that high pressure begins to migrate towards the southwest or even the west of the UK and that would allow for some of the weather fronts in the north to topple their way southwards.
“With winds coming from the northwest from the middle of the week that would allow as well as conditions turning fairly showery, it would allow lower temperatures, so after a mild start a temperature trend downwards.”
The Met Office has said a major sudden stratospheric warming event is taking place above the North Pole. This means the winds above the area are expected to reverse and go from east to west.
Here in the UK, that means there could be a 'watching brief', according to its meteorologist Aidan McGivern. He said any possible impact of the sudden stratospheric warming could bring colder weather during the first week of March.
Maps from WXCharts show temperatures could drop to -7C and 15 centimetres of snow could fall in Scotland. Meanwhile, there there will be widespread freezing conditions.
The Met Office has also given an update on the possibility of a new Beast from the East. It comes following the phenomenon of Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW).
Mr McGivern continued: "We are seeing a major Sudden Stratospheric Warming taking place above the North Pole and what that means is that the winds in the stratosphere surrounding the North Pole are expected to reverse, instead of going from west to east they are going to go from east to west.
"That can have a drag effect on the jet stream which can slow the jet stream down which can in turn lead to higher pressure at the surface, a blocking area of high pressure, blocking wind and rain from the Atlantic and sometimes leading to colder conditions. That’s why Sudden Stratospheric Warmings increase the chance of cold weather.
"Not immediately, though, although this is taking place right now, there is a lag effect so we are not expecting an impact if any to take place until the first week of March."
He added: "So what can we say about the potential impact, remember there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes here because although this is currently taking place there is no strong signal for the effect it is going to have at the surface.
"Not all Sudden Stratospheric Warmings lead to cold weather at the surface but what we are seeing from the computer models for the start of March is a signal for higher than normal pressure that would be consistent with the slowing down of the jet stream.
"However, we are not seeing a strong signal for colder weather because it would depend for the UK on where that higher than normal pressure ends up, whether it is a strong high to the north of the UK or whether it is centred over the UK which would lead to more typical temperatures for the time of year."
Met Office 5-day forecast for the East Midlands:
Today:
A cloudy start, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. These easing through the morning to leave a largely dry afternoon, with sunny spells developing. Winds will be light and it will feel mild for the time of year. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
Tonight:
A dry evening with occasional clear spells. Becoming increasingly cloudy and windy overnight, but remaining largely dry. Mild for the time of year. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
Friday:
Cloudy and very windy, with patchy rain, mostly light, spreading in from the northwest from late morning. Becoming drier and less windy later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Rather cloudy and breezy Saturday with patchy rain and drizzle. Largely dry Sunday with sunny spells. Becoming cloudy and breezy again Monday with the odd spot of rain. Mild throughout.
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