Temperatures to plunge as Arctic winds hit UK

Arctic chill is forecast to cause below-average temperatures across country

A cyclist rides in a frost-covered Hyde Park in London in January. AFP

The Meteorological Office is warning that temperatures are expected to drop to below minus 8ºC by the middle of the week, with a warning of heavy snow in Scotland.

Winds are expected to shift from the east to the north bringing an Arctic chill and below-average temperatures for the time of year.

A yellow warning is in place on Wednesday for snow, which the Met Office is advising could cause disruption to road, bus and train journeys.

“At the moment we have an easterly flow and as such our winds are coming from the east and that is a cold direction," said Alex Burkill, Met Office meteorologist.

"However, from Tuesday onwards we are going to get a northerly flow, so our winds coming from the north, that is Arctic air leading to our temperatures dropping even further as we go through this week.

“It’s going to turn even colder and feel even colder still with temperatures well below average for the time of year, both by day and by night.”

He said temperatures overnight on Wednesday into Thursday would drop to minus 7ºC or minus 8ºC — or even colder.

Cold weather in the UK – in pictures

Snow covered fields and rooftops in Allenheads in the Pennines to the north of Weardale in Northumberland. More snow is forecasted to fall in the UK on Thursday. PA

Daybreak on Thursday morning near Leyburn in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. PA

A frosty morning run in Wansted Park in London. PA

A morning jogger passes the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park in south-west London after a night of low temperatures in Britain's capital. PA

A skier on the slopes at Allenheads in the Pennines. PA

The A1101 in Welney on the Cambridgeshire-Norfolk border, where the River Delph and New Bedford River flooded the surrounding area. PA

New snow covers Beaufront Castle near Hexham in Northumberland. PA

Waves break over the sea wall in strong winds at New Brighton. Reuters

A young trials rider takes on a snowy incline near Castleside, County Durham. PA

Snow covers a roundabout in Corbridge, near Hexham in Northumberland. PA

A family take advantage of the weather to have some fun on sledges in Tow Law, County Durham. PA

A man snowboarding at the volunteer ran Ski-Allenheads as the cold weather continues in Northumberland. Reuters

Flooding near Faversham at high tide after Faversham Creek burst its bank. Getty Images

“It looks like the cold is going to be very widespread," Mr Burkill said.

"Perhaps Northern Ireland and East Anglia won’t be that cold, maybe just a degree or two below freezing, otherwise we are talking about several degrees below freezing across Scotland, Wales.

“Much of England, including the south-west, we could see temperatures of minus 5ºC or minus 6ºC, which is exceptionally cold.

“We have a snow warning across the northern half of Scotland for Wednesday and that is when the snow showers coming from the north will be most impactful.

"They will probably start on Tuesday and we will see very significant snow in the north. It looks like it could last a week.

"The northerly flow is going to stay with us. It’s not going to be particularly unsettled, so there will be some showers. It’s mostly going to be largely dry but cold.

Heavy rain causes flooding in parts of the UK - in pictures

A car negotiates a flooded section of road in London, as torrential rain and thunderstorms hit many parts of the UK. Getty Images

Pedestrians get soaked crossing London Bridge in the capital. Britain's Met Office issued multiple flood warnings. EPA

Sheltering from the rain at the seafront in Seaford, East Sussex, on England's south coast. Britain had been suffering a heatwave, with drought declared for parts of the country. Getty

A pedestrian is caught in the open in London during the downpour. The Met Office issued yellow thunderstorm warning forecasts for parts of England and Wales. PA

A pedestrian tries to keep dry crossing the road in a very wet London. Getty

Pedestrians shelter from torrential rain at the entrance to Blackhorse Road London Underground station, in north-east London. Getty

A fire engine negotiates a flooded section of road in London. Getty

A car sends floodwater spraying in its wake in London. The rain eased later in the week. Getty

The gym at the Houses of Parliament in central London is flooded after torrential rain hit the capital. PA

Pedestrians brave the downpour to cross Millennium Bridge in London, with St Paul's Cathedral almost obscured by the rain. PA

Parts of Clapham Common, in south London, are flooded by the downpour, while areas of parched grass bear testimony to the recent drought. Reuters

Pedestrians find a dry path in London. AP

Covers protect the wicket during the Royal London Cup match between Essex Eagles and Yorkshire Vikings at Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford, south-east England. Getty

“From the middle of next week there are some signs we may see some more unsettled weather with milder weather coming up from the south, but it’s far away at the moment.

“At the moment it is cloudy, meaning there won’t be huge differences between daily highs and overnight lows, but as we go through this week, we will get that cold northerly flow with clearer skies, so sunny and crisp by day but even colder at night.”

Mr Burkill said temperatures dropped to minus 3.8ºC at Drumnadrochit near Inverness on Saturday night.

But temperatures should remain at about minus 2ºC at night time in Scotland for the next couple of days and a few degrees above freezing for the rest of the country until the cold snap arrives on Wednesday.

Temperatures in the day time should be about 8ºC or 9ºC, dropping to 5ºC or 6ºC as the week progresses.