WEATHER: Scotland set for Arctic winds and snow
SCOTLAND’S weather is to get a post-Christmas shake-up with Arctic winds, rain and snow on the way.
Forecasters warned cold winds from the North Pole will bring a new threat of snowfall
Thermometers will plunge to -5C (23F) in some places tonight and daytime temperatures will hover around 7C (44.6F) or 8C (46.4F) between now and New Year, the Met Office said.
Government forecasters warned cold winds from the North Pole will bring a new threat of snowfall.
Met Office forecaster Charlie Powell said: “Some of the rain will turn to snow over higher ground in Scotland and the north as cold air arrives from the Arctic through Boxing Day.
“People who want something colder and snowier will be in luck although for many it will be a bit of a wake-up call,especially with some wintry showers due further south.
“A low-pressure system moves through the country from Tuesday lunchtime bringing a mix of rain, sleet and snow; we expect the cold to last through Wednesday and Thursday.”
John Hammond, of online forecasting service weathertrending, warned the weather will dish up “wild antics” for New Year,
He said: “We should expect some impactful periods of wind and rain to be delivered to our shores.
“The jet stream will catapult a series of low pressure systems in our direction which are set to bring bouts of wet and windy weather. The New Year will be ushered in by some wild antics.”
Bitterly cold air sweeping in from the north will bring a more widespread risk of wintry showers
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said unsettled weather could disrupt travel plans today as bitterly cold air sweeping in from the north will bring a more widespread risk of wintry showers.
He said: “From Boxing Day and in the run up to the New Year there is an increasing chance of seeing more widespread snowfall as cold air dominates.
"The heaviest showers are more likely in the north but there is a good chance with the colder weather that we could see showers with a wintry element further south.”
WeatherOnline forecaster Garry Nicholson also said that we should the mercury to dip considerably.
Daytime temperatures will hover around 7C or 8C between now and New Year
He said: “The recent mild and rather benign weather will be replaced by a more active weather pattern in the days ahead as areas of low pressure influence the British Isles.
“Temperatures will fall by Christmas night and the middle part of the week will be chilly for all. Some snow is possible, but mostly over higher ground.
"Toward New Year, there is a risk of stormy weather coming in from the Atlantic.”