Britain is set to face a -5C Arctic blast and snow later this month, with weather maps showing snowfall reaching as far south as East Anglia, after weeks of torrential rain and flooding across the country
Britain could be hit by a snow and ice freeze as the UK’s heavy rain showers are predicted to give way to a chilly -5C Arctic blast later this month.
Currently, numerous flood warnings and alerts have been issued across large parts of England following days of heavy rainfall. As of Sunday morning, there were 89 warnings, indicating expected flooding, and 218 alerts, suggesting possible flooding, in England – the majority of which are in the south-west and the Midlands. There are also seven flood warnings and two alerts in Scotland, and six flood alerts in Wales.
Weather charts currently indicate that the rainfall is set to persist into next week, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for rain covering southwest England and parts of south Wales, lasting from midday until 11:59pm on Monday. However, new maps from WXCharts.com for the following week suggest a band of snow could strike East Anglia on Tuesday, February 17, with temperatures dropping to -5C that same day in northern Scotland.
READ MORE: Met Office warns 29 areas to prepare flood kits as 12 hour storm heads for UKREAD MORE: Major flood warnings as ENTIRE region placed on watch as UK hit by 37 days of rain
Snowfall could also reach the Scottish Highlands, and it appears likely to settle on high ground in mid and north Wales, as well as parts of Scotland around South Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway, reports the Express. The UK was battered by three consecutive named storms in January, causing heavy rain, strong winds and disruption.
On Friday, an Asda van was submerged in flood water at Walfords Bridge in Shropshire. Fortunately, no one was trapped inside or needed rescuing. Flood warnings are presently concentrated in Devon and Hampshire, as well as the region between Gloucester and Worcester. Meanwhile, over 230 flood alerts are spread across much of England, excluding the far north and East Anglia.
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for Thursday, February 12 to Saturday, February 21 cautions about the “likelihood of some snow.” It states: “Predominantly cyclonic patterns are expected to dominate the UK.
“The early part of this period could see colder conditions becoming established more widely for a time, bringing with it the likelihood of some snow, primarily to the north and northeast.
“However this should offer a few days respite from the wet weather across the south. By the end of this period, the track of Atlantic depressions may shift a little further north than during the last few weeks.
“This will maintain broadly unsettled weather, with further spells of rain and perhaps strong winds at times. Many parts may become somewhat milder, given more of a westerly influence, though there remains the chance that colder conditions could linger towards the northeast.”
