New arctic blast to bring coldest day of the year so far with temperatures set to plunge to -4C

4 March 2023, 18:10

A woman walks through the snow earlier this year
A woman walks through the snow earlier this year. Picture: Alamy

By Adam Solomons

The Met Office has issued new warnings for snow and ice as Britain faces a new arctic blast and the coldest weather of the year so far.

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Temperatures in parts of England and Scotland will fall to minus-4 degrees C on Monday.

It will be the coldest day of the year in the north-east of England and eastern Scotland.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a cold weather alert and placed north-east England, north-west England and Yorkshire under a level three alert.

That means there's a nine-out-of-ten chance of severely cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow.

Read more: Snow to hit Britain next week as Met Office warns of 'severe cold weather' and 'Beast of the East' return

Read more: Supersonic RAF jets scrambled to escort plane which lost contact, causing sonic boom heard across central England

Scottish capital Edinburgh is pictured in January
Scottish capital Edinburgh is pictured in January. Picture: Alamy

That could increase the health risk to vulnerable patients, the NHS said

The rest of England is at the less severe level two.

All areas are under alert between 1am on Monday and midnight on Thursday.

Senior meteorologist Craig Snell said: “Going into next week we do see a bit of a change with even colder air coming through and then an increase in risk of sudden disruption due to some sleet, snow and some ice.

A woman heats her hands on a plug-in heater
A woman heats her hands on a plug-in heater. Picture: Alamy

“So at the moment, the main focus is across northern and eastern parts of the UK where we have issued warnings already for Monday and Tuesday for the risk of some snow showers moving in from the north.

“Highest accumulations will be across the high ground. But even at lower levels, we are likely to see some disruption in places as the showers come through.”

The rest of the weekend is set to be calm with some showers expected in parts of Scotland and eastern England.

Cold weather alert issued as freezing temperatures due next week

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can.”

It comes ten days after the Met Office warned about colder weather at the end of February.

A long-range forecast from the Met for Tuesday February 28 to Thursday March 9 reads: "Brisk winds expected in southern areas, with the risk of a few wintry showers. Northern areas will see more mild conditions."

Ex-Sainsbury's boss Justin King says the 'terrible' weather is what's caused food shortages

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