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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

UK weather forecast: Widespread snow and ice warning as -8C Arctic blast hits country

Brits are being warned of snow and ice on Thursday morning with temperatures dropping as low as -8C over the coming days due to Arctic air moving southwards.

The cold weather front has been slowly moving down the country this week with most Brits feeling a cold bite in the air on Wednesday.

Another Met Office yellow weather warning is in place for ice covering a large swathe of eastern Scotland, north-east England and Yorkshire until 10am on Thursday morning.

It states: "Snow and hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption."

Overnight wintry showers could see "fairly widespread icy patches, particularly on untreated surfaces".

It also adds that "some accumulations of snow are also possible", particularly across eastern Scotland and hillier areas of north-east England.

Maps from WXCharts show that the mercury could drop as low as -8C over the next few days and going into the weekend while there are likely to be snow flurries in Scotland, northern England and Wales.

The Met Office has issued a warning of snow and ice (PA)

But the snow could even stretch into the south and south east of England on Thursday morning.

With temperatures well below average for this time of year, councils in Newcastle City, North Tyneside and Gateshead have all introduced their severe weather emergency protocols - which includes services to help people who are sleeping rough try to stay safe.

Temperatures could drop as low as -8C over the coming days (Michael Traill )

They are urging people to get in touch if they are worried about someone who is sleeping rough.

On Wednesday, Terry Smith, 57, of Coventry, who is undertaking the coast to coast route - which he started from Whitehaven in Cumbria, hit snow in Allenheads, in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland.

Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern said: "The last few days have seen a significant trend. A trend away from sunshine and temperatures of 20C to Arctic air coming south across the UK behind a cold front which has brought, in some places, snowfall.

"As it crosses the south of the UK for the start of Thursday, it could even bring some slight snow coverings to south-eastern areas."

This would be mainly over the hills and may touch on places such as the South Downs and the Chilterns, but it would not last long as the sun will soon clear it up.

Mr McGivern said: "There will be further wintry showers coming into the east and the north through Thursday on a biting north easterly wind which will be particularly strong on the coast of Kent.

"There is a potential for gales on exposed spots."

There will be some sunny spells, but Mr McGivern described it as "a bright day if on the cold side with temperatures that are well below average for this time of year" before the skies clear on Thursday evening.

The cold snap is expected to last into the weekend before slightly warmer weather comes in from the west, bringing unsettled conditions.

Until then, temperatures are expected to be more than half those reached last week, when many areas basked in glorious sunshine and highs of 20C.

Commercial director at Green Flag, Mark Newberry, said: "Although many of us thought the colder weather was behind us, it's unfortunately starting to feel like winter again.

"After the lovely sunshine of recent days, the temperature is set to drop even further towards the end of this week, with some parts of the UK expecting snow, sleet, and icy conditions.

"Green Flag is urging drivers to take extra care when setting off on their journeys."

UK forecast for the next 5 days

Feeling cold with wintry showers.

Today:

Rain, sleet and hill snow clearing from southeast England. Elsewhere, a mix of sunny spells and wintry showers, most frequent in the north and east. Breezy and feeling cold.

Tonight:

Cold with widespread frost. Wintry showers are continuing in the north and east with a risk of icy patches later.

Friday:

Sunny spells and further wintry showers, most frequent along parts of the north and east coasts. A more organised area of rain affecting parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Cold, with wintry showers Saturday; more persistent rain or showers for parts of the west for a time. Less cold Sunday and Monday, though often cloudier with spells of rain.

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