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UK faces ‘significant’ snowfall due to freezing air from Siberia Siberian blast could make southern England colder than the Arctic
(about 11 hours later)
Freezing air from Siberia is to envelop the UK next week in what could be the coldest end to the British winter for five years, bringing the risk of “significant” and “disruptive” snowfall. Parts of south-east Engand could well end up colder than the North Pole this weekend, as forecasters predict that the Arctic could inch above freezing point during the polar night for the first time in recorded history.
The Arctic blast, which has been called “the beast from the east”, will cause temperatures to plunge below zero from Sunday night, with some areas experiencing lows of -8C (17.6F), and snow forecast to fall in London and the east of England. The North Pole and northern Greenland have been 30C to 40C warmer than historical averages in recent days, adding to fears of rapid polar warming that has huge implications for global climate. The northernmost weather station in the world, Cape Morris Jesup in Greenland, was above freezing nearly all day on 20 February, according to the Danish Meteorological Institute. Rob Downie, the head of polar programmes at WWF, said: “The Arctic is in meltdown and wild and weird weather is happening in front of our eyes. We need to take responsibility as evidence shows us that sea ice is in severe decline due to our changing climate. We need to act now to cut carbon emissions and ramp up efforts towards a renewable future to secure a future for Arctic wildlife and people.
Due to an unusual kink in the jet stream, the freezing air will extend over the British Isles, northern Europe and western Siberia, with temperatures struggling to get above zero during the day in London, and lows of below -50C forecast in Russia. The warning came as health officials spoke of the risks of exposure as temperatures plummet over the weekend and Britain faces the prospect of the coldest end to a winter in five years. Freezing air from Siberia is forecast to envelop the country next week, bringing significant and “disruptive” snowfall. The Arctic blast, nicknamed “the beast from the east”, will cause temperatures to drop below zero from Sunday night, with some areas experiencing lows of -8C (17.6F), and snow forecast to fall in London and the east of England.
Cold air from northern and eastern Europe is heading west over the next few days. By Monday temperatures in the UK will be close to or below freezing, ❄️even in the middle of the day pic.twitter.com/Ov1Ekk8agzCold air from northern and eastern Europe is heading west over the next few days. By Monday temperatures in the UK will be close to or below freezing, ❄️even in the middle of the day pic.twitter.com/Ov1Ekk8agz
The Met Office said the cold air would bring the potential for heavy and disruptive snowfall in parts of east and south-east England, although it was too early to provide a complete forecast. On Friday, Public Health England (PHE) told people to look out for the most vulnerable. “Cold temperatures, indoors and out, pose real health risks to many and every winter we know that thousands of people get ill and even die following exposure to cold conditions,” said Dr Thomas Waite, of PHE’s extreme events team.
A Met Office meteorologist, Martin Bowles, said the mercury would drop as low as -5C in London on Sunday night and snow was likely in the capital from late on Monday and into Tuesday. Temperatures of -8C are expected widely across the rest of the country. “It’s critical that if you know anyone over 65, with young children or who has heart or lung conditions, that you keep an eye on them and think what help they may need. Staying warm by heating your home to at least 18°C can be crucial to staying well.”
“We haven’t had temperatures that low in late February since 2013. It’s not unheard of. There are records that are lower than that,” Bowles said. The Met Office issued yellow warnings of snowfall – the second most severe on the forecasters’ scale – for the early part of next week. It warned of possible travel delays and power cuts, and said some rural communities could be cut off.
“But it is quite unusual, particularly as it’s quite late in the season. We refer to 1 March as being the first day of spring and of course 1 March will be right in the middle of this cold spell, so spring will be postponed for a couple of weeks, shall we say,” he added. “Cold weather is currently established across the country with widespread overnight frosts,” the Met Office’s chief operational meteorologist, Paul Gunderson, said.
During the day on Monday, temperatures of 1C and 2C are expected across much of the country, while Northern Ireland will escape the worst of the cold due to its western position. “However, colder conditions are expected to extend westwards across England during the weekend bringing a significant, and prolonged period of wintry weather. During Monday and Tuesday, snow showers are expected to move into eastern areas, before spreading westwards across England.”
Snow is expected mostly in eastern areas and is likely to accumulate in some parts. While not everyone would see snowfall, he said, as much as 10cm was possible in eastern and south-eastern counties. “These will also be accompanied by bitterly cold temperatures, and a significant wind chill. These cold, wintry conditions are then expected to continue on Wednesday, and likely beyond.”
“With the days feeling a little longer and lighter it can be easy to forget that cold weather can still kill,” said Dr Thomas Waite, of Public Health England’s extreme events team. On Friday, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said he had opened emergency shelters to protect rough sleepers. “With temperatures dropping across London tonight and this weekend, I’ve opened emergency shelters to ensure people sleeping rough have somewhere warm to stay,” he tweeted.
“Over-65s, those with conditions like heart and lung diseases and young children are all at particular risk in cold weather as their bodies struggle to cope when temperatures fall. So before it gets cold check on friends, family and neighbours who may be at risk and make sure they’re heating homes to at least 18C, see if they need any particular help or just someone to talk to and keep an eye on the Met Office’s forecasts and warnings.” With temperatures dropping across London tonight and this weekend, I’ve opened emergency shelters to ensure people sleeping rough have somewhere warm to stay. #HelpRoughSleepers https://t.co/6egXAhLtKt
A Met Office meteorologist, Martin Bowles, said the temperatures could be the lowest in late February since 2013.
“It is quite unusual, particularly as it’s quite late in the season. We refer to 1 March as being the first day of spring and of course 1 March will be right in the middle of this cold spell, so spring will be postponed for a couple of weeks,” he added.
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