Snow and ice to devastate all of England from Monday: Met Office issues cold weather yellow alert as millions of people are told to brace for snow showers and -1C snap next week
- Next week the weather will feel ‘definitely wintry’, forecasters say
- UKHSA is encouraging people to keep warm and look out for those most at risk
Britons are being warned to brace themselves for snow and ice from Monday with a cold weather warning to be issued across England next week before temperatures start freezing.
Temperatures could dip to -1 in parts of the country as the Met Office warns of freezing overnight conditions that feel like winter despite the onset of March.
“While we have entered meteorological spring, our weather will feel distinctly wintry next week,” said deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond.
“Very cold air will spread across the UK, bringing snow showers as low as sea level in the north on Monday and these snow showers could spread further south on Tuesday.
“With freezing temperatures overnight and the risk of ice, weather warnings are likely to be issued for Monday and Tuesday once details of potential impacts become clearer, so keep an eye on the Met Office forecast.”
A map showing the chance of snowfall (in purple) in the UK on Thursday 9 March
Very cold air will spread across the UK from Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The UKHSA is encouraging people to keep warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of the weather, such as those with medical conditions or over the age of 65.
The Met Office and UKHSA warn that all regions of England will experience cold weather from 1am Monday to midnight Wednesday.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: ‘During periods like this it is important to check in with family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather as it can have serious consequences. influence on health.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it’s important to try to heat your home to at least 18C if possible.”
Heavy frost on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk in late January
Snow in the Brecon Beacons earlier this year – as the British prepare for another cold snap
The parts of the country highlighted in yellow indicate areas with a cold weather warning from Monday through Wednesday
The UKHSA said for those struggling with rising costs, it is offering free advice on energy efficiency and national grants to help heat homes.
It advised that wearing several layers of thinner clothing keeps people warmer than wearing one thick layer, and that consuming hot food and drink is also effective.
It comes after England had its driest February in 30 years, according to preliminary figures from the Met Office.
The UK as a whole saw less than half the average rainfall for the month, at 45 per cent, with 43.4mm of precipitation.
Falling temperatures are the latest cold snap to hit the UK as it struggles with skyrocketing energy bills amid the cost of living crisis.