BBC UK weather forecast: Arctic BLAST strikes Britain unleashing HEAVY downpours and gusts
THE UK is braced for another day of ferocious winds and damp weather, as cold Arctic air crashes through the nation, bring heavy rain and strong gusts, which could see temperatures fall close to freezing.
BBC Weather: Cold snap to hit UK as temperatures plummet
Arctic winds are set to blast through the UK today, hitting parts of the nation with 50MPH gusts, as a weather front approaches.
The strongest of winds will be in Scotland and across the Pennies, where gust could reach a staggering 50MPH.
Meanwhile, most of the downpours are going to be in the north and west of Scotland, but elsewhere largely dry.
Weather reporter Carol Kirkwood presented the forecast live from Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire today where she told BBC Breakfast viewers it would be quite windy in the north.
In Scotland, especially in the north and west it is going to be wet and windy
She said: “In Scotland, especially in the north and west it is going to be wet and windy [and] we do have weather fronts in the north producing that rain.”
Today, the best of sunshine should be in the south and east half of the UK, where temperatures are predicted to be higher than yesterday.
On Tuesday, the heat value is expected to reach a high of 17 Celsius and even east Scotland could have some sunshine.
However, this evening a band of thick cloud is going to push its way eastwards from the north west, although it should not feel too cold as a result of this movement.
Then tomorrow there is going to be a bit more cloud in the north and west of the UK, whereas in the south and east it will be sunny.
The winds are unlikely to be as strong as they have been on Wednesday and temperatures could again reach 17 degrees.
But a significant weather front positioned to the north of the UK will have a band of cold air behind it, which could see temperatures plummet.
In fact, temperatures are going to be a little lower on Thursday, typically 12 to 14 Celsius.
What’s more rain will gather in the north west of the UK, as a cold front travels from the Arctic.
As temperatures begin to plummet across the country, bookmaker Coral have seen a flurry of bets on snow falling this Christmas.
The firm make it 5-4 that snow falls anywhere in the UK on Christmas Day, with odds at 5-2 for it to snow in Aberdeen, while it is a 3-1 chance for Glasgow.
Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: “Every year we see punters queuing up to back a White Christmas, but the prospect of October snow has meant this year they’re getting their money on early.
“Excitement is really building with a cold winter forecast and our odds suggest the northern cities are in with a real chance of snow on the big day.”
The business also have evens on this winter being the coldest on record, with Harry adding: “All the signs are pointing towards a freezing few months.
“There’s every chance that after a summer full of records being broken that this winter could follow suit and enter the history books as the coldest ever.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays on BBC One at 6am.