Snow and ice to blast all of England from Monday: Met Office issues yellow cold weather alert as millions of people are told to brace for snow showers and -1C snap next week
- There will be a ‘distinctly wintry feel’ to the weather next week, forecasters say
- UKHSA is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk
Britons are being warned to brace for snow and ice from Monday with a cold weather alert issued ahead of freezing temperatures across England next week.
Temperatures could drop to as low as -1 in parts of the country as the Met Office warns of freezing overnight conditions feeling like winter despite entering into March.
‘Although we’ve moved into meteorological Spring there will be a distinctly wintry feel to our weather next week,’ Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Almond, said.
‘Very cold air will spread across the UK bringing snow showers even to sea level in the north on Monday and these snow showers could spread further south on Tuesday.
‘With freezing overnight temperatures and the risk of ice it is likely weather warnings will be issued for Monday and Tuesday once the detail of potential impacts becomes clearer, so keep an eye on the Met Office forecast.’
A map showing the probability of snow (in purple) falling in the UK on Thursday, March 9
Very cold air will spread across the UK from Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The UKHSA is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of the weather, such as people with medical conditions or over the age of 65.
The Met Office and UKHSA are warning that all regions of England will experience cold weather from 1am on Monday to midnight on Wednesday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: ‘During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.
‘If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can.’
Heavy frost on the ground at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk at the end of January
Snow in the Brecon Beacons earlier this year – as Britons prepare for another cold snap
The parts of the country highlighted in yellow show areas where there is a cold weather alert for Monday to Wednesday
Read more: Maps show areas tipped to be hit by snow
The UKHSA said for those struggling with the rising costs, it provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants to help warm homes.
It advised that wearing several layers of thinner clothing will keep people warmer than wearing one thick layer, and that consuming hot food and drinks is also effective.
It comes after England had its driest February in 30 years, according to provisional 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 falling.
The plunging temperatures are the latest cold snap to hit the UK as it battles with soaring energy bills during the cost-of-living crisis.
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