UK weather snow forecast – Exact date coldest night of winter will hit as temperatures plunge to a bitter -4C today
January 20, 2022THE exact date Brits will face the coldest night of winter so far has been revealed.
Temperatures will plunge as low as -4C today as an Arctic blast grips the UK.
The brutal cold has forced health chiefs to issue a rare warning over the freezeas Britain braces itself for the coldest night of winter TONIGHT.
The mercury plunged as low as -4C in the north west of England this morning, with the chill set to continue overnight.
Temperatures will get as low as -3C in the north west, Wales and south west of England, while dipping below zero throughout the country later today.
Forecasters say it will be so cold that overnight frosts will last all day in some areas.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
- Milica Cosic
Is it illegal to leave your car engine running to defrost your windscreen?
If you leave your engine running while your motor is stationary on the road, it could land you in hot water.
“Stationary idling” is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which means leaving the car running is off-limits.
The Act enforces rule 123 of the Highway Code which states: “You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.”
So, defrosting your windscreen by leaving the engine and heating on is actually against the law.
However, this law doesn’t mean you have to turn your engine off at every red light, as it is simply aimed at unnecessarily idling vehicles to help reduce noise and air pollution.
- Milica Cosic
Ways to stay safe & avoid delays on icy roads
AS Brits brace for a January deep freeze, drivers are urged to be extra cautious on the road.
Here, we round up the top seven ways you can avoid accidents and weather-induced delays while on the road this winter.
- Keep your phone fully-charged
- Check your air pressure and tread depth
- De-ice your car
- Increase your stopping distance
- Take it slow
- Don’t go out unless necessary
- Use familiar roads
- Drive in a high gear
Read the article in full here.
A date to look forward to
Brits can look forward to 10.21am on March 24 – the precise moment they expect spirits to lift after the dreary winter months, new research has revealed.
The study, by Yakult Light, found the January blues have a significant impact, revealing we desperately miss a host of things – such as spring flowers coming into bloom, spending time in pub gardens and the smell of freshly cut grass.
January’s unpopularity is confirmed as three in four of us (76 per cent) admit it is when we are most likely to need a mood boost following December’s festivities.
More than half (52 per cent) say this is due to the cold and wet weather with 64 per cent saying the thing they most miss is longer daylight hours.
Almost half (46 per cent) of us feel tired and lacking in energy, 43 per cent say it makes us irritable and 41 per cent of Brits are less sociable as a result.
As a result, Brits cannot wait for the start of spring in March and the activities which warmer and longer days bring, with half looking forward to spending more time outdoors.
- Milica Cosic
Brace yourselves for -3C deep freeze
Brits are set for a winter freeze with forecasters predicting temperatures as lows as -3C.
According to charts, temperatures across the country are expected to plummet below sub-zero on January 20. The lowest of the temperatures will be in Yorkshire, where graphs from WXCharts show the mercury falling to -3C.
According to charts, snow levels may exceed 10cm on Thursday.
These ice-cold conditions will remain on January 21, with London and the southeast seeing the mercury fall to -1C.
- Milica Cosic
Long range forecast for end of month
The Met Office’s long range forecast for the end of the month into February states: “This period is likely to see a gradual transition to more unsettled conditions.
“Heaviest precipitation is likely to occur across the northwest, particularly later in the period, whilst drier than average conditions are more likely to prevail in the southeast, particularly earlier in the period.
“Spells of strong winds are likely, mainly in the north.
“Temperatures likely to be slightly above average overall. Some colder interludes are still expected though, bringing a risk of occasional snow, most likely over northern hills.”
- Milica Cosic
Odds on UK’s coldest January since records began
Coral makes this January odds on, at 4-5, to be the UK’s coldest since records began.
Coral go even shorter odds for snow to fall in London in January, pricing that at just 1-2.
“January is proving to be bitterly cold now as we head towards the second half of the month and temperatures are going to drop so low that we now make it odds on for the UK’s coldest first month of the year to be recorded,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.
“We didn’t get the White Christmas that Londoners dreamed of but we think snow is on the way at last and it is very short odds indeed for the white stuff to fall this month,” added Aitkenhead.
- Milica Cosic
Pictured: Cold weather from the past few days
HEALTH chiefs have issued a rare warning ahead of the coldest night of the winter so far.
Flurries of snow are also set to hit the UK in weeks as temperatures plummet to sub-zero levels – with icy cold winds.
Forecasters say those in the south will face the coldest night of the year as the mercury dips to -5CCredit: EPA Brits have been urged to keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours as the temperature plummets this weekCredit: Bav Media It's believed London could yet see snow before the end of the winterCredit: Bav Media - Milica Cosic
Protecting the vulnerable during the cold
The UK Health and Security Agency has now alerted people in central and southern England to look out for vulnerable neighbours during the chill.
Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at the organisation, said the cold can have a deadly toll.
"Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections," she said.
"Remind vulnerable relatives and neighbours to heat their home to at least 18C – particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 or older, or have a health condition.
"Should they need to go outside, it's important for them to wear shoes with a good grip."
- Milica Cosic
Coldest night of winter to hit TOMORROW
The mercury will dip to around -5C in London in the early hours of Friday as an Arctic blast holds the country in its grip.
Forecasters say it'll be so cold that overnight frosts will last all day in some areas.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said southerners are set to shiver as the week goes on.
"On Friday morning, there'll be a widespread frost," he said.
"It'll be perhaps the coldest night of the winter for some southern parts of the country."
However, the weather will be milder in the north-west, where there'll be cloudier skies to limit the frost.
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Saturday and Sunday
Mainly dry on Saturday with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud cover. There will also be some spells of rain and drizzle across northern Scotland.
Saturday will continue dry for most areas with the best of the sunny spells across eastern areas. Outbreaks of rain will continue across Scotland
- Milica Cosic
Tomorrow's forecast (Friday)
Early patches of mist and fog will be slow to lift and clear during the morning.
It will then be d dry with sunny spells however there will be variable amounts of cloud cover across northern and western areas.
There is also a chance of showers or spots of rain across north-west Scotland.
- Milica Cosic
Tonight's weather
A dry and clear evening for most areas however there will be thick cloud across Northern Ireland, northern Scotland and parts of north Wales and East Anglia.
These conditions will then persist overnight with patches of mist forming and there is a chance of a few showers which may be wintry in nature
- Milica Cosic
Ways to stay safe & avoid delays on icy roads
AS Brits brace for a January deep freeze, drivers are urged to be extra cautious on the road.
Here, we round up the top seven ways you can avoid accidents and weather-induced delays while on the road this winter.
- Keep your phone fully-charged
- Check your air pressure and tread depth
- De-ice your car
- Increase your stopping distance
- Take it slow
- Don’t go out unless necessary
- Use familiar roads
- Drive in a high gear
Read the article in full here.
Checking your air pressure and tread depth
The pending snow means that black ice poses an increased risk of out-of-control skids and accidents, meaning drivers should do everything they can to stay safe.
You can improve your chances of getting to your destination safely and quickly with some simple pre-drive checks.
One important check is your tyre pressure.
If the pressure is too low for your tyres, road traction can be reduced – proving fatal in icy conditions.
Tyre tread is another important factor for road conditions.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but experts recommend it should be at least 3mm to be as safe as possible.
Today's weather forecast
A fine day as it will be dry with wall to wall sunshine and lots of sunshine.
Cloud will build across Northern Ireland and northern Scotland as well as parts of western Britain and North Sea coastal areas.
There is also a chance of a few isolated showers which may be wintry across northern Scotland.
- Milica Cosic
Cold weather impact on the elderly
Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at the UKHSA, has urged Britons to remind elderly neighbours to heat their homes.
"Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
"Remind vulnerable relatives and neighbours to heat their home to at least 18C – particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 or older, or have a health condition.
"Should they need to go outside, it's important for them to wear shoes with a good grip."
- Milica Cosic
How to keep the house warm WITHOUT turning on the heating
There’s plenty of ways to keep the heat in at home that are more cost effective – and some tricks mean you don’t even need to turn the heating on.
Kevin Pratt, energy expert at Forbes Advisor – a trusted destination for unbiased personal finance guidance, news and review – revealed his top tips to help families keep their homes warm without using the heating.
- Purchasing a draught excluder or use balled socks or tights where needed
- You can also upgrade your windows – double- or even triple-glazing is brilliant
- You can keep your house warm without turning the heating on by splashing out on some cosy rugs instead
- A super easy way to keep warm at home is to simply wear warmer clothes.
- You can insulate your home for free simply by keeping the warm inside – and not letting it escape. So, keep your windows and doors shut.
Read more tips here.
- Milica Cosic
Meteorologist on the weather this month
Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services told the Express: "As we get towards the end of the month – the coldest on average parts of the year – what we're seeing is the high pressure pulling away south and west, allowing a north-easterly air stream to come in.
"That may well start to bring some snow events towards the latter stages of the month – so that last week of January. I'm talking now about January 25-28."
Rain and windy conditions are expected for the rest of the week, with gust of up to 50mph at the peak.
Through the weekend it is expected to be dry for many but often rather cloudy, with some light rain at times in the far north.
- Milica Cosic
How to stay warm when outside
With the weather getting chillier and frostier, you’ll want to wrap up warm.
Here are some good tips for staying all snugly and cosy when outdoors:
- Prewarm your clothes.
- Invest in some quality thermals.
- Fleece leggings.
- Hand warmers.
- Cover every inch of skin.
- Eat fatty foods.
- Thermal flask.
- Keep moving.
- Keep hydrated.
- Keep your head covered.
- Tactical scarf-wearing – including keeping your nose and mouth covered
- Milica Cosic
Long range forecast – January 31 to February 14
The Met Office in its long-range forecast has predicted snow could fall towards the end of January into early February.
From January 31 to February 14, the Met Office warns that “some colder interludes remain possible, bringing a risk of occasional snow, this most likely over northern hills.”
The week beginning February first will see grim weather, and the coldest parts of winter still to come.
- Milica Cosic
Bookies odds on the coldest February since records began
Leading bookmaker Coral has slashed the odds on next month being the coldest February since records began to just 3-1 (from 5-1) as temperatures continue to remain low.
Coral make this winter odds on, at 4-5, to enter the record books as the UK’s coldest since records began.
“We’re enduring some freezing mornings more often than not at the moment in the UK and it’s been so cold that we have slashed the odds on next month being our coldest February ever,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.
“This winter remains a shade of odds on to be in the record books once it’s done as the coldest ever,” added Aitkenhead.
- 4-5 this winter to be the coldest since records began
- 3-1 this February to be the coldest since records began
- Milica Cosic
Snow to fall in London within WEEKS
The country will be forced to battle the blistering cold after a freak heatwave brought record warmth at the beginning of the year.
London will be braced with the freezing blankets of the white stuff in early February – with flurries expected to hit on February 9th.
But parts of Scotland and the North East will be battered by the snow as early as January 28 – with the freezing temperatures hitting -3C tomorrow in parts.
A freezing Arctic blast is heading towards the UK, bringing the chilly temperatures and flurries of snow across the country.
- Milica Cosic
Climate change causing daffodils to flower early
Daffodils are flowering early because of climate change, with some already in bloom now, experts say.
Most varieties come out at the beginning of March and the bright yellow plants have always been synonymous with the onset of spring. Some daffodils have already been seen flowering in parts of the south east, with the society saying that if they are planted in the ground and not in pots, January is extremely early for most.
The Daffodil Society was established in 1898 as the specialist society of Great Britain for all who are interested in the Genus Narcissus.
A spokeswoman said: “There are reports over the past few years that they are flowering earlier."
Although the UK is currently in the grip of a cold snap, trends show the UK is warming. According to the MET Office, the December provisional UK mean temperature was 5.3C, which is 1.1 °C above the 1991-2020 long-term average.
A spokeswoman for the RHS said: In cold weather it is natural for them to slow down, however we haven't had many cold temperatures so they are continuing to grow.
“When it warms up they grow very quickly, they also like a lot of running water which helps the bulb to grow.”
Daffodils should be planted in late September and October and they like cool and cold conditions.
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday
Friday will continue dry with long sunny spells for most areas however there will be cloud across northern and western areas and some patches of mist will be slow to clear.
Saturday will be largely dry with sunny spells however there will be spells of rain and drizzle across northern Scotland.
- Milica Cosic
FIVE DAY bitter freeze hits
A cold weather alert has been issued for the UK as forecasters warn of ice-cold conditions across the country.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for central and southern England, and according to weather graphs, temperatures are expected to drop to -1C over the next 48 hours.
This warning remains until 9am on Sunday.
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