UK Met Office in new SEVERE weather warning as snow hits and temperature to feel like -14C

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• published: 15 Dec 2017
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UK Met Office in new SEVERE weather warning as snow hits and temperature to feel like -14C ARCTIC conditions will grip Britain into the weekend as officials ramp up health warnings for killer cold weather. The Government today extended a “severe weather action” warning until Sunday afternoon when it will turn milder. Elderly people and those with medical conditions are urged to take care with further snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures forecast. Public Health England (PHE) with the Met Office warned extreme weather will increase the risk to the vulnerable while disrupting public services. The caution comes as experts predict temperatures will nosedive tomorrow bringing more wintry showers and harsh frosts. It follows a milder start to the week which saw melting snow and torrential downpours spark floods in parts of the country. Warmer winds will give way to a bitter surge of freezing air from the North Pole sending the mercury to -6C (21.2F) in parts. A government statement reads: “There is a 90 per cent probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions and heavy snow between Wednesday and Sunday in parts of England. “It will turn generally colder through Friday with a marked wind chill and also into the weekend, with some sharp overnight frosts expected particularly across the north and down the eastern side England. “After a cold to start on Sunday, a return to less cold conditions is expected with a band of rain spreading in from the west.” If you’re not feeling well or are having trouble breathing, stay indoors and keep warm Dr Penny Woods - Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation Temperatures will plummet to -6C (21.2F) in the north over the next couple of nights with the south dipping below freezing. Daytime highs on Saturday will struggle to get above zero in Scotland with much of the country hovering in low single figures. Icy winds will make it feel close to -14C (6.8F) over high ground in the north with windchill temperature in the south of around -5C (23F). However the mercury could lift into double figures by the start of next week with highs of 10C (50F) or 11C (51.8F) in parts, forecasters say. Health campaigners and charities have urged people with health conditions to stay indoors when it is especially cold. Dr Penny Woods, chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “For people living with lung conditions cold weather can trigger a flare-up of symptoms. “In particularly cold conditions, our advice is to check the weather before going out. “If you’re not feeling well or are having trouble breathing, stay indoors and keep warm.” Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK warned older people are at risk of stroke, raised blood pressure, colds and flu. She said: “Very cold weather can have a serious impact on elderly people because older bodies find it harder to adjust to big changes in temperature. “The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia. “We advise people to take simple precautions such as wrapping up warm when going outside, sleeping with the windows closed at night and having plenty of hot food and drinks.” The Met Office said it will feel colder tomorrow and Saturday compared to mid-week although snow will be confined to high ground. It has issued a severe weather warning for ice across much of England, Scotland and Wales through this morning. Spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said another change in wind direction on Monday will bring a milder “tropical” airmass across Britain. She said: “It is going to turn colder from Friday but we are not expecting it to be as bad as it was last weekend. “There is a chance of snow over high ground particularly in the north but there will also be a risk of some heavy rain into Saturday. “While we could still see snow this weekend it is likely to be over high ground and we are also expecting sharp frosts on Friday and Saturday mornings. “However a tropical maritime airmass will arrive next week and this will bring a spell of milder weather.” Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden added: “The next few days will be on the cold side for many with more wintry showers, some of these could still be heavy. “We are then due some brief respite as it turns temporarily milder from Sunday with the wind direction turning more southerly. “This will see a change from well below-average temperatures to above-average temperatures over several days. “Our forecasts still indicate some large changes to colder conditions around the Christmas period.”