Freezing Arctic Blast Set to Grip the UK as New Year Approaches
Britain Prepares for Arctic Chill
The United Kingdom is bracing for a significant freezing Arctic blast as the nation heads into the New Year, with meteorologists warning of plummeting temperatures and potential snow across large swathes of the country. As the mercury nosedives in the run-up to New Year, bitter gusts in parts will make it feel close to minus 10C.
This dramatic shift in weather patterns comes after December was milder than average, with the UK experiencing a provisional mean temperature of 6.2°C, 2.0°C above the long-term average, making it the warmest December on record for the UK. The contrast between the mild Christmas period and the impending cold snap is particularly striking.
High Pressure System Breaking Records
The Arctic blast is being driven by an unusual high-pressure system developing over the UK. There is a chance of pressure being between 1045 and 1050 millibars, which is unusually high pressure for this time of year, and some station records could be broken with some spots likely to break their December high pressure record. This rare meteorological phenomenon is responsible for drawing cold air from the Arctic region southwards across Britain.
Snow and Wintry Conditions Expected
A wave of snowfall could be imminent for numerous cities as an Arctic blast is predicted to sweep across Britain, with forecast data suggesting that a significant portion of England, Wales, and Scotland may be covered in snow on Monday, January 5, with some areas potentially witnessing up to 13cm of snow depth.
Weather forecasters indicate two possible scenarios for the turn of the year. One is for a cold northerly, Arctic winds, wintry showers in the north and the east, which is considered 20 to 30% chance.
What This Means for Residents
The freezing conditions will bring widespread frost and potential hazards for travellers. Temperatures on Saturday will be a little bit higher, though turning colder in Scotland and less cold in the south, and with lighter winds, frosts will form and some spots are likely to stay below freezing during the day.
The Met Office has emphasised that with cold air close to the UK, some wintry hazards are possible in places, and temperatures will probably be below average for this period overall and so wintry hazards remain a possibility in places. Residents are advised to prepare for challenging conditions as Britain transitions from its exceptionally mild December into a potentially harsh start to 2025.