Cold weather gives way to milder conditions – Feb 2021
Author: Press Office
14:40 (UTC) on Wed 10 Feb 2021
Cold weather, with a continuing risk of snow, grips the UK for the rest of the week before milder air gradually spreads in from the west.
Unsettled weather
This transition to milder conditions is likely to be erratic as the cold pool of air currently spreading across the UK from Eastern Europe and Russia will be difficult to dislodge.
National Severe Weather Warning
National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are in force for parts of the UK for the rest of this week and further warnings are possible. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Dan Suri, said: “Weather for the rest of this week will continue to be very cold with daytime temperatures only reaching a degree or so above freezing at best for many and strong easterly winds continuing to make it feel even colder.”
“Overnight temperatures have been notable with -17.1C recorded in the Highlands of Scotland, on Tuesday night. While Wednesday night is expected to be the coldest night of the winter so far.”
Cold Weather Alerts
Cold Weather Alerts are still in place for England. Dr Owen Landeg, Group Leader, Extreme Events and Health Protection at Public Health England, said: “Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“So it’s really important during this particularly cold period, to keep checking on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.”
Changes to come
At the end of the week milder air from the Atlantic starts to spread into the UK behind a series of weather fronts. These may stall where the milder air meets the cold air mass and we could see wintry hazards, such as rain, sleet, and snow, with freezing rain also a possibility at times. As always snow is more likely over higher ground, but there could be some to lower levels.
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Keen amateur meteorologists can enter snow depth readings on our Weather Observations Website (WOW). Alongside our network of professional observers and automated weather stations, amateur observations can help give additional situational awareness to our forecasters.
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