Home / Environment / UK Braces for Deep Freeze: Arctic Blast Brings Snow and Ice
UK Braces for Deep Freeze: Arctic Blast Brings Snow and Ice
16 Feb
Summary
- Northern Ireland faces ice from Monday evening until Tuesday morning.
- Wintry showers and snow are expected across Scotland and higher grounds.
- England and the Midlands have 75 flood warnings due to heavy rain.
Arctic air has spread across the UK, bringing frosty conditions and wintry weather. Ice warnings are in effect for Northern Ireland from Monday evening through to Tuesday morning. Blustery showers are forecast for most of the UK on Monday, with snow expected to settle on higher ground in Scotland.
By Monday night, colder Arctic air will descend, increasing the risk of ice and lowering snow levels in Scotland. Some snow showers may also occur over the North York Moors. Tuesday is predicted to be mostly dry but cold, with temperatures struggling to reach 6C and significant wind chill.
Temperatures are expected to drop close to freezing nationwide by Wednesday morning, with northern and north-east Scotland potentially reaching -10C, prompting further ice warnings. A band of rain, sleet, and hill snow is forecast for Wednesday, with the Met Office monitoring the situation for potential further snow alerts.
Concurrently, England is facing significant flooding, with 75 flood warnings and 189 flood alerts issued. The Environment Agency reports that over 24,000 homes and businesses have been protected, but around 330 have experienced flooding. Further heavy rain on Wednesday could lead to additional flood warnings, especially for saturated areas in southern England and South Wales.
