With cold air from the Arctic crossing the UK a number of national severe weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued by the Met Office for this week. GMB forecaster Laura Tobin shared a forecast showing that temperatures could fall as low as -10°C in parts of the UK on Friday, Sunday and Monday.
The Met Office is warning that temperatures could dip to lows of -8°C in Wales on Thursday night into Friday morning (December 8/9), and agree that temperatures could fall as low as -10°C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week. Here is what the Met Office is saying for Wales over coming days:
Thursday afternoon/night
A Met Office weather warning for ice covering the majority of Wales starts at 4pm on Thursday.
The forecasting service says for Wales: "Some long clear spells this evening, although the odd wintry shower, and cloud increasing from the north for a while overnight. Winds light, and a risk of icy patches. Minimum temperature -8°C."
The yellow warning states: "Frequent wintry showers are likely to fall onto frozen surfaces in places, leading to the formation of icy patches. These showers are expected to fall as snow on high ground, with the potential for several centimetres to accumulate, especially over the high ground of north Wales."
Friday
The Met Office forecast for Wales says: "A frosty, but sunny start across the country. Staying cold, but mostly sunny through the day across the south and east. A few wintry showers further north and west. Maximum temperature 3°C."
The yellow warning for ice continues into Friday throughout the day for Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea and Wrexham.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
It will remain cold and mainly dry through the weekend with spells of sunshine. Some wintry showers at times though, mainly near coasts and over high ground. Sharp overnight frosts.
There are no weather warnings for Wales on Sunday, but that could change as we head towards the weekend. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “As an Arctic maritime airmass settles across the UK temperatures will fall with widespread overnight frosts, severe in places, and daytime temperatures only a few degrees above freezing. However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells, particularly away from the coast and where winds are light it could feel pleasant in the sunshine. Some patchy freezing fog is also likely."
The Met Office says there are some "uncertainties" around how long this cold spell will last, however, it is expected to stay cold into next week with temperatures remaining well below average for the time of year. The cold weather will continue through the weekend and into next week with sleet, snow and ice still possible, especially along the east coast, while inland it will often be dry with widespread hard frosts and patchy freezing fog.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “Through the weekend and into next week cold weather will continue, with an ongoing chance of wintry showers, mainly for coasts, and freezing fog patches inland. An area of low pressure may then threaten southern and southwestern parts of the UK through mid-week. Confidence in the exact track of this system is low, but should it push precipitation into the UK, then this would readily turn to snow, with a lower chance of freezing rain. How far north the milder air gets is also open to a lot of uncertainty, but for now, many central and northern areas are likely to remain in the Arctic airmass.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With temperatures plummeting this week, many drivers might be taken aback by the cold after an exceptionally mild autumn. Our advice is to be winter ready – check tyres are properly inflated and with good tread, while topping up oil, coolant and screen wash levels if needed.
"Drivers with older batteries in their cars might also wish to give their vehicle a 20-minute drive before colder conditions arrive to ensure the battery can cope with sub-zero temperatures. It’s also worth having a fully-charged mobile phone and carrying a blanket in case of a breakdown to keep warm.”
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