Coldest winter in 50 years on its way to Britain

January 11, 2016 11:21 AM | Skymet Weather Team

Blast of freezing Arctic air is set to envelop UK this weekend leading to the worst winter in UK in more than 50 years. The first taste of what could be a historic winter lockdown is likely to arrive this weekend as freezing winds drive in from North Pole and Siberia. This bitter spell is expected to bring brutal cold weather, harsh frost and crippling snowfall across the UK.

The jet stream, which had so far remained north over the UK, is about to make a sharp southwards turn allowing an Arctic air to sweep Britain. The temperatures will take a steep plunge across Britain leading to the winter season that would be one of the worst winters in the UK since 1963.

According to reports, the colder weather could linger until March.

The effect on weather has already been felt in Scotland and northern England where snowfall was witnessed on Saturday and Sunday. Snow accumulation over the Scottish Highlands was upto 15 inches and over northern England it was upto four inches.

After the warmest and wettest December, UK is all set to brace the coldest January in several decades. The cold Arctic winds will move south with sleet and snow showers for Scotland, northern England, Wales and parts of the Midlands to East Anglia. Flood-hit Scotland is braced for up to two feet of snow with mercury nosediving to -10°C.

This wintery spell could threaten the survival of thousands of people in northern England and southern Scotland who are already battling flooding as a result of Storm Frank.

Image Credit: express.co.uk

 

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