A wave of cold air nicknamed the “Norwegian Troll” is predicted to sweep the UK towards the latter half of January.
Similar to the “Beast from the East” in previous years, this sweep of freezing air could bring with it icy hazards and snow. It will start in the north of the UK at around halfway through January before moving down throughout the country. Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, a climate change commentator and a regular debate candidate on broadcast news channels, warned of the “extremely frigid air” from Scandinavia.
This could lead to “snow events” as the “wet and windy regime” of recent days moves on – with weather maps suggesting Cornwall could be inundated with over 20cm of snow. The Met Office added there is a change of “widespread severe cold”.
Mr Dale told Express.co.uk: “The cold will arrive over this weekend and it does look more settled with ice and frosts becoming established under high pressure.”
He said this will “more or less continue” until the middle of January “as Mother Nature strives to balance things out.”
Then, “around mid-month”, he said: “What then is expected to move in is the extremely frigid air over Scandinavia, so it’s more from the northeast and a ‘Norwegian Troll’, rather than ‘The Beast from the East’”. He added however this “could easily shift from one to another.”
“The north then the east of the UK will be first to succumb with snow events, followed by other parts in the days that follow”, Mr Dale explained.
Weather maps show a temperature plunge towards the latter half of January, with sub-zero levels across the whole country and lows of -7C and -9C. WXCharts, which uses data from Met Desk, also suggests snowfall of over 20cm could hit Cornwall later in the month.
The Met Office said there is “an increased chance of colder than average conditions” for the period of January 18 to February 1.
The weather agency added: “Currently the chance of widespread severe cold is still deemed low, but still the risk of impacts from cold, including ice and snow is greater than normal.”
There is a possibility of snow during this time, the Met said, predicting: “While there is a chance of brief, unsettled spells, which would bring milder air for a time, it would likely also be accompanied by a period of sleet or snow.
“However, when, or even if, this would happen is very uncertain, and overall the main theme will be much more in the way of settled conditions through this period.”
Today:
A spell of heavy rain will track eastwards across southern parts of England through the day. Rain at times in Scotland, drier elsewhere with some bright or sunny spells. Light winds with temperatures near to average.
Tonight:
Rain clearing the east. Mostly dry with some coastal showers. Light winds and some clear skies leading to patchy frost and fog forming through the early hours.
Friday:
A few showers on Friday, these mainly in coastal areas. Otherwise a mainly dry day. Rather cloudy, but some bright or sunny spells developing. Feeling a little cooler.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
High pressure building over the weekend bringing generally dry weather throughout. Often fairly cloudy with some sunny intervals though the odd shower possible on Saturday. Turning colder with frosts overnight.
