UK weather: Big freeze nearly over as temperatures set to jump
Written by News on 13/02/2021
Milder weather is a few days away – after a freezing week that saw the UK record its coldest temperature in 25 years.
Saturday will still be bitterly cold, with wind chill making it feel below zero across the country – as low as -7C (19.4F) in northern England.
There could also be treacherous travel conditions this weekend.
Freezing rain – which freezes almost the moment it touches the ground – is possible in Scotland, Wales, northern England and the South West.
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in force in those areas.
Temperatures will start to pick up on Sunday though, with 4 or 5C (41F) forecast in the east of the UK, around 9C (48F) in the South West, and 12C (54F) possible in Northern Ireland.
That warmer feel will take hold for the week ahead – the half-term break for many children.
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said milder air was moving in from the Atlantic to push the colder air into the North Sea.
“Where temperatures were close to freezing in many places last week, we could expect to see 11C or 12C next week,” he said.
“There are still some wintry hazards to get through over the next few days, with low temperatures, strong winds and further snow especially in Northern Ireland.”
The UK recorded its lowest temperature since 1995 on Wednesday night when Braemar in Aberdeenshire plunged to -23C (-9.4F).
England also hit a record low for February, with -15.3C (4.5F) in Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, overnight on Thursday.
The fountains at Trafalgar Square in central London also froze this week, as did the Thames in some places.
The RNLI tweeted a picture of the frozen river at Teddington in the southwest of the capital.
Relatives and neighbours are being advised by Public Heath England to check on vulnerable people this weekend.
Dr Owen Landeg from PHE said elderly people and those with heart and lung problems are particularly vulnerable as the cold increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks and chest infections.
He said it was important these people heat their homes to to at least 18C (64.4F) and keep stocked up on food and medicine.
(c) Sky News 2021: UK weather: Big freeze nearly over as temperatures set to jump
