UK weather latest: New maps show 1,000-mile Arctic blast set to sweep across Britain
Weather maps have predicted the UK will be hit by a polar plunge later this month with strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures.
New weather maps show a 1,000-mile blast of Arctic weather heading for the UK later this month. WXCharts has forecast a band of wind and icy rain moving over Europe, covering the continent from Finland to Greece and moving northwest to the UK.
Winds of between 70mph and 100mph are possible on January 17, with parts of northern Europe seeing up to 120mph.
Temperatures in the UK could drop as low as -1C in Scotland and Kent with areas like Wales and Northumberland seeing around 5C.
The northern coast of Scotland, Wales and northern England have been forecast more than 50mm of rain for the period, with one area in north Wales forecast over 80mm.
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The latest forecast comes as experts keep a close eye on January's weather pattern.
Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, warned of a "modest" plunge in temperatures is expected in the Europe.
Speaking to Express.co.uk he said: "The Troll from Trondheim is watching and waiting. No material plunge as yet is forthcoming. "Something modest into Central Europe soon but we are on the far fringes of that.
"However, fellow meteorologists do not want to to let this go and so it continues to be a discussion point; as are the general expectations for 2024."
Met Office five-day forecast
Today:
Early rain and strong winds in Scotland slowly clearing north followed by drier conditions. Rain across the southwest spreading north and eastwards affecting much of England and Wales and grazing parts of Northern Ireland. Windy in the south.
Tonight:
Rain at times across Scotland. Any remaining rain across eastern England clearing eastwards. Elsewhere clear spells and showers, heaviest and most frequent in the south and west.
Wednesday:
Rain across northern and eastern Scotland will ease. Otherwise tomorrow will be a day of sunny spells and blustery showers, heavy with hail and thunder in the south and west.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Whilst scattered heavy showers are still possible to end the week, this period will be drier and less windy than of late. Turning colder with overnight frosts becoming more likely.