As winter reaches its peak, Scotland braces for what could be the coldest January night in 14 years, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -15C. This bone-chilling forecast, if realized, would mark the lowest temperature recorded on a January night since 2010. Moreover, it would set a record for the lowest temperature experienced during the winter season of 2023/24.
The bitter cold gripping Scotland and much of Britain can be attributed to the influx of cold Arctic air. Over the past few days, a “cold plunge of Arctic air” has descended southward across the entire country, causing temperatures to dip 5C to 6C lower than the seasonal average. The frigid conditions are expected to persist until Friday, followed by the arrival of “potentially disruptive” stormy weather over the weekend.
The wintry weather has already begun to wreak havoc, resulting in the closure of more than 100 schools in Scotland. In addition, drivers in north-west England, particularly in Merseyside, Cheshire, and Cumbria, have been confronted with treacherous road conditions.
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings for Wednesday, with one alert covering northern England and parts of Wales for snow and ice. Another warning encompasses areas around Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland, while the third warning extends to Northern Ireland and the northern section of Scotland. These warnings are effective until Wednesday night, and temperatures are expected to plummet even further, with the possibility of up to 40cm of snow accumulating on high ground in northwest Scotland by Friday. Lower-lying areas in the region could see between five and 10cm of snow by the end of the week.
In response to the severe weather, the UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold-health alert, cautioning about potential impacts on the health and social care sector. Meanwhile, National Rail has warned passengers to be prepared for possible disruptions to train journeys throughout the week.
Although the bone-chilling cold is set to subside by the end of the week, stormy and unpredictable conditions are forecasted to prevail. Low pressure systems are projected to sweep in, ushering in a significant change in weather patterns. As a result, stormy conditions could develop, further posing challenges for travel and daily life.
As the coldest night in years looms over Scotland, the freezing temperatures and wintry weather grip much of Britain. With snowfall predicted to accumulate and stormy conditions expected in the coming days, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about weather updates and exercise caution while traveling.
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