Weather maps show a wave of snow and rain to sweep the UK before the brutal cold snap finally comes to an end this week.
Data from WXCharts shows much of Britain will be under sub-zero temperatures this week, accompanied by rain and in many places, snow. There have already been several snow and ice warnings issued by the Met Office, with huge parts of the UK seeing some of the white stuff.
Scotland, the Midlands, and North East and North West experienced much of the worst of the snow and ice. But weather map data suggests for parts of northern England, the cold snap is far from over.
Snow and ice is predicted to sweep the country as far south as Stoke, up towards Newcastle and into southern parts of Scotland late this Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the rest of the UK will be inundated with rain, combined with freezing cold temperatures. The recent freezing conditions have been caused by a cold air mass from Scandinavian countries that settled over much of the UK.
However, a front of warm, low pressure is being brought in from the Atlantic now, which will do much to boost the mercury.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said this was making “some inroads across southern and central parts of the country bringing less cold conditions to many southern areas”. Last week Jim Dale, Chief Meteorologist at British Weather Services, told Express.co.uk the warm front was likely to impact the midlands and Wales.
Where the pressure fronts meet, however, there is a renewed risk of ice and snow.
Mr Kelly added: “However further south rain will become the main hazard and a yellow warning for rain had been issued for Monday for parts of the South West. Warnings may well be updated over the coming days so keep up to date with the forecast in your area.”
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow health alert for cold weather from December 5 to December 8 for the North East, North West and Yorkshire Humber.
A yellow cold-health alert warns: “Minor impacts are probable across the health and social care sector, including: increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population; increase in risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals.”
By the end of this week, this colder weather is set to subside to a more reasonable seasonal average, with “wetter and windier conditions” replacing the ice and snow.
Today:
Rain will gradually easing across England and Wales with brighter spells developing later. Drier and sunnier elsewhere, but feeling cold once again. There will be a few wintry showers in the north and northeast. Lighter winds for most.
Tonight:
Remaining rather cloudy in the south and southeast, but clearer elsewhere. Light winds for all and turning cold with a frost and some freezing fog forming by dawn.
Wednesday:
Frost and fog clearing then bright spells for many. Turning windier and cloudier from the west through the afternoon with rain following later. Turning milder in the southwest.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
A change is on its way as the weather turns milder, wetter and windier. Spells of heavy rain and showers are expected with brisk winds and risk of coastal gales.
