BRITS have been told to brace for a icy -1C freeze next week as the temperatures will drop in Scotland on Tuesday – just days before Christmas.
One forecaster says that if a particular weather system shapes up in the days to come, some areas could record a whopping 10 inches of snow on the big day.
Meanwhile, forecasters have predicted the exact date Brits will see snow this month – with with blizzards and biting winds blasting in some parts of the country.
Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook has said it may well be a very white Christmas after all, and it'll be an "all-time classic" for snow fans.
The charts show temperatures as low as -6C in parts of Scotland, while snow would fall across much of the country – including in the south.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
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Louis Allwood
Top tips for driving during the fog
The Met Office have released the following tips to keep people safe whilst driving in the fog.
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Louis Allwood
Winter advice for drivers
DRIVERS have been urged to pack their cars with five winter essentials before hitting the road as Storm Barra hits the UK today.
Storm Barra will no doubt bring with it dangerous road conditions, with slippery black ice increasing the risk of an out-of-control skid and accidents.
Car insurance provider the AA has shared its essential list of cold journey must-haves – if travel in adverse weather is absolutely essential.
In case of a breakdown, drivers have been told to bring with them a fully-charged phone to call for help.
A flask of hot drink is another must-have to fend off the cold when stationary – while a torch can be used to help see as daylight hours get shorter.
Meanwhile, in case an unfortunate skid sends them off the road, a shovel is needed to make sure drivers can free their cars if stuck in snow.
The insurer also urges drivers to “fully de-ice” their vehicles prior to heading off – including clearing snow from the windows, lights and the roof to help with visibility.
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Louis Allwood
White Christmas odds
A Met Office official told LBC: "The odds of a white Christmas aren't too low."
Cold air will hit rain clouds from the Atlantic, which could provide perfect conditions for snow.
It's still too early to rule out the blast turning into sleet or rain instead, he said.
Bookies say the city most likely to see snow when Santa arrives is Aberdeen, with odds of 5/2.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are both priced at 3/1.
In England, the destination with the best chance of a sprinkling of snow on the day itself is Newcastle, also at 3/1, followed by Leeds at 7/2.
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Louis Allwood
Foggy evening and night ahead of us
The Met Office have confirmed that the cloudy weather will be continuing through the remainder of the evening and in to the night.
Northern England and Scotland will have a chance of some clearer spells.
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Louis Allwood
When will summer begin?
The Summer Solstice will signify that the Spring time has come to an end and hot and sunny Summer weather will be present until the next seasonal change.
Remembering the seasonal equinoxes and solstices are the key to knowing which time of year you are in.
Although a lot of territories experience differing weather conditions prior to the solstices and equinoxes, the dates are significant to know the official starts of the four seasons.
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Louis Allwood
Getting colder toward the New Year
The Met Office forecasters say it’ll get much colder towards the New Year.
“At the start of this period it will be settled and predominantly dry with large amounts of cloud, though cloud may well be thick enough for the odd spot of drizzle at times,” they said.
“In general, cloud amounts will tend to reduce with time, with a corresponding increase in the risk of overnight fog and frost, which may be slow to clear by day in some areas.
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Louis Allwood
Early week forecast
Most places dry with more sunshine by day than of late, especially across the south and east.
Cold with overnight frosts. Perhaps some rain into the far southwest late Wednesday.
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Louis Allwood
Tomorrows forecast
Low cloud and fog persisting for many, though with some sunny spells for Scotland and west Wales.
Some light rain and drizzle in east and north.
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Louis Allwood
This evening and tonight outlook
Low cloud and fog persisting across England and Wales with some light rain and drizzle.
Clear spells for parts of Scotland, west Wales and southwest England where a frost is possible in places.
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Louis Allwood
The past week has seen temperatures higher than Madrid
Brits were treated to an unseasonable spell of warm weather this week.
The UK was hotter than Madrid on Thursday, as a 13C winter warmer swept in after torrential rain and gale force winds over the weekend.
The mercury reached a pleasant 10C in Leeds and 12C in Cardiff – rising to 13C in London.
This meant the capital was even hotter than the Spanish city of Madrid, where it reached highs of just 12C on Thursday afternoon.
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Milica Cosic
Storm Corrie due next week
Storm Corrie will follow havoc-wreaking storms Arwen and Barra which brought blizzards and gale-force winds earlier this month.
And it appears Corrie, which is due next week, will be no different – as a "snow bomb" could move in from December 27.
As a south-western front of rain and wind moves across the UK, there is "potential for some snowfall", Netweather.tv reports.
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Milica Cosic
Icy plunge before Xmas
BRITS are braced for an icy freeze next week as the mercury plummets just days before Christmas.
Temperatures are set to plunge as low as -1C in Scotland on Tuesday as a snowbomb gears up to blast Britain.
By Tuesday night, the Met Office predicts temperatures will drop as low as 1C across most of Britain, with slightly warmer weather in the south.
In Scotland, the mercury is expected to dip below zero, reaching -1 in Loch Rannoch.
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Milica Cosic
This afternoon's weather
If you're making plans for this afternoon, make sure you're up to date with the weather forecast.
The Met Office says that there will be: "Mist and fog patches around in the east.
"Generally cloudy elsewhere
"Sunniest in west Wales, far southwest England and parts of Scotland."
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Milica Cosic
Avoid these when driving in the snow and ice
- If you come across black ice, many drivers will hit the brakes and steer into a skid as they start to lose control – but that can be a dangerous move for in-experienced drivers. Instead, slowly take your foot off the accelerator and straighten up as your vehicle rides it out.
- Accelerating and braking too quickly is a recipe for disaster in icy conditions. Be sure to take it slow when turning and avoid any overtaking.
- It might seem urgent at the time, but it's important not to take unnecessary journeys when it's icy.
- If you do need to go somewhere, don't take an unfamiliar route as road signs are likely to be covered in snow and phone reception could be limited.
- Some drivers rely on pouring boiling water over a frozen windscreen to remove ice, but it's more than likely to crack the glass. Investing in a decent ice scrapper or de-ice spray can work just as well and will protect your windscreen.
- Don't take any shortcuts and stay off rural roads as these might not have been cleared, and are often challenging even in warm weather. Stick to main roads as much as possible.
- Finally, don't forget to top up your oil, fuel and screen-wash before every winter trip.
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Milica Cosic
Seven dos and don’ts for driving in ice & snow
Brace yourselves – the snow is set to fall over the Christmas period. This also means that the roads will be getting busier and more congested.
Here's a few pieces of advice that could help keep keep you safe this winter.
- If you know your going to need to drive in the morning, soak a few towels in salt water and place them on your windscreen the night before to prevent frost building up.
- You should also remove any ice on your mirrors, number plates and windows before taking off. And remember, snow and ice sitting on the roof can fall and block your windscreen, so clear as much as possible before driving.
- It might seem over the top, but packing a bag of emergency supplies will be handy if your car breaks down or if you're stuck in a blizzard. A warm blanket, snacks, water and a torch can make a long wait on the roadside bearable.
- Always allow greater stopping distances in icy conditions, and stay alert for pedestrians who are braving the cold.
- Driving in a higher gear wherever possible can help you to retain control where road surfaces are treacherous.
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Milica Cosic
DON'T drive with snow on your roof
While having snow on your roof is not prohibited it could land you in deep drift with the law.
Should clumps fall onto your windscreen or onto another car you could be penalised for driving without "due consideration".
More seriously, you could be considered to be using a motor vehicle "in a dangerous condition".
Each offence can lead to a fine and a criminal record.
The RAC says: "Even if you’re only making a two-minute journey, by not thoroughly cleaning your car of snow, ice or condensation… you’re breaking the law and leaving yourself liable to a run in with the police."
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Milica Cosic
Four ways you’re breaking the law driving in snow
With snow expected for Christmas, these tips will help you avoid a penalty as in some cases you could be met with a fine worth up to £1,000.
- Defrosting your car – the lazy way
- Driving with snow still on the roof
- Not cleaning every window or your lights
- Not de-icing your license plate
Read the article in full here.
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Milica Cosic
Drivers should pack their cars with 5 essentials
DRIVERS have been urged to pack their cars with five winter essentials before hitting the road as Storm Barra hits the UK today.
Storm Barra will no doubt bring with it dangerous road conditions, with slippery black ice increasing the risk of an out-of-control skid and accidents.
Car insurance provider the AA has shared its essential list of cold journey must-haves – if travel in adverse weather is absolutely essential.
In case of a breakdown, drivers have been told to bring with them a fully-charged phone to call for help.
A flask of hot drink is another must-have to fend off the cold when stationary – while a torch can be used to help see as daylight hours get shorter.
Meanwhile, in case an unfortunate skid sends them off the road, a shovel is needed to make sure drivers can free their cars if stuck in snow.
The insurer also urges drivers to “fully de-ice” their vehicles prior to heading off – including clearing snow from the windows, lights and the roof to help with visibility.
-
Milica Cosic
Explained: When will Winter be over?
When people are looking for the Winter season to be officially over, they can look forward to the Spring Equinox, which will mark the start of the Spring season.
The Summer Solstice will then signify that the Spring time has come to an end and hot and sunny Summer weather will be present until the next seasonal change.
Remembering the seasonal equinoxes and solstices are the key to knowing which time of year you are in.
Although a lot of territories experience differing weather conditions prior to the solstices and equinoxes, the dates are significant to know the official starts of the four seasons.
-
Milica Cosic
Weather outlook for Monday & Tuesday
Early mist on Monday will soon lift and clear. It will then be another dry but dull and grey day with thick cloud and a few spots of drizzle cannot be ruled out.
It will be a brighter day on Tuesday with cloud breaking and spells of sunshine developing. A chance of showers across northern Scotland.
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Milica Cosic
Tomorrow's weather forecast
A dull start to the day with thick cloud cover and early patches of fog will lift and clear during the morning.
It will continue generally grey during the day with thick cloud and patches of mist will linger. A few spots of drizzle are possible at times and there may be some bright spells.
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Milica Cosic
Tonight's weather
It will be dry but dull and grey during the evening with thick cloud cover and widespread patches of mist.
Overnight will continue dry with thick cloud cover and patches of fog will also form.
A few spots of drizzle are possible but will be mostly for coastal areas. A few clear spells may develop.
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Milica Cosic
Bookies bets on a white Xmas
Bookies say the city most likely to see snow when Santa arrives is Aberdeen, with odds of 5/2.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are both priced at 3/1.
In England, the destination with the best chance of a sprinkling of snow on the day itself is Newcastle, also at 3/1, followed by Leeds at 7/2.
Almost all forecasters are currently agreed that it's set to get much colder towards the new year when Storm Corrie will see blizzards and biting winds blasting in straight from the Arctic.
It's almost certain that at least 1cm will fall in the north-west on December 27.
Elsewhere, five more storms will tear across England this winter.
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Milica Cosic
Yellow warning fog in place
A yellow warning for freezing fog is now in place for a swathe of the country between Middlesbrough and Southend-on-Sea.
There'll be poor visibility for drivers, with "stubborn and dense fog" set to linger.
After that, the mercury will plummet, with -1C expected in London on Tuesday.
Many will see frost early next week, before rain and snow settle in.
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Milica Cosic
Don't forget your coat!
A Met Office official told LBC: "The odds of a white Christmas aren't too low."
Cold air will hit rain clouds from the Atlantic, which could provide perfect conditions for snow.
It's still too early to rule out the blast turning into sleet or rain instead, he said.
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