Beauty of autumn in glorious technicolour before blast of winter snow
FEAST your eyes on this glorious riot of autumn colour because in days it is set to be ravaged by winter storms.
The peaceful scene was photographed in Sheffield Park near Uckfield, East Sussex, as forecasters warned of a crippling Arctic blast that could grip the UK for at least a month. Temperatures are set to plunge this weekend with up to six inches of snow expected in places by next week.
Freezing air is poised to turn rain to heavy snow in Scotland and the North. The mercury will plummet to -15C (5F) overnight in remote areas with -10C likely elsewhere. The temperatures everywhere will be below average amid bitter cold gales as experts warn we could be facing the worst winter for decades.
Jonathan Powell, of Vantage Weather Services, warned the extreme cold threatens to bring weeks of bitter winds, sleet and snow for millions.
He said: “Once this big chill sets in, it is likely to last until the middle of next month.”
James Madden, of Exacta Weather, warned of “copious” snowfalls this winter.
Bookmakers Coral yesterday slashed odds on a white Christmas to 2-1.
A spokesman said: “We’ve been snowed under with bets from Scottish punters.”