Is it going to snow this week? Where is snow forecast in UK this December, what temperatures will it drop to

The UK is set to face arctic temperatures this week after the Met Office issued a level 3 cold weather warning for England which is set to last until 9am on Monday December 12.

People are being told to prepare for “severe cold weather and icy conditions”, with a yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued for Scotland and a yellow warning for ice issued covering parts of Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales.

The Met Office have revealed that snow could possibly affect parts of south east England on Sunday night and into Monday morning which could bring “some disruption to Monday’s rush hour.”

The plummeting temperatures have been blamed on an “arctic maritime air mass”. The public are being urged to look out for vulnerable friends and family and to ensure they heat their homes to 18C and wear “several layers of clothing” to stay warm.

A fuel poverty charity has warned that people have been left struggling to heat their homes due to “impossibly high prices” and face “dreadful consequences” due to the low temperatures.

So is it going to snow this week and how cold could temperatures get? Here’s everything you need to know.

Is it going to snow this week?

The Met Office have predicted that it will snow in the UK this week, with a yellow weather warning issued in Scotland advising people that “disruption is likely”. They have also advised snow could affect “parts of Northern Ireland and north east England.”

The Met Office have also revealed that snow could affect areas in southern England telling PA Media: “Our forecasters are looking at the possibility of snow affecting the south east of England on Sunday night and into Monday morning. If this happens it could bring some disruption to Monday’s rush hour.”

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Steve Willington said: “Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast and South West England. Showers will turn more wintry with an increasing risk of snow as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground. There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10°C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week.”

The public has been advised that “More severe weather warnings may be needed as we head through the week” and to stay up to date on the latest weather warnings from the Met Office.

Where is snow forecast in December?

Snow has been forecast in Scotland, with Northern Scotland and the Highlands expected to take the brunt of it. On low levels, 2-5cm of snow has been forecast, with higher levels seeing up to 10cm and blizzard and drifting conditions predicted.

The cold spell is expected to continue into next week, with sleet, snow and ice still possible along the east coast of the UK, whilst inland is expected to experience hard frosts and patchy freezing fog. There is a possibility that snow could reach the south of England,

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “Through the weekend and into next week cold weather will continue, with an ongoing chance of wintry showers, mainly for coasts, and freezing fog patches inland.

“An area of low pressure may then threaten southern and southwestern parts of the UK through mid-week. Confidence in the exact track of this system is low, but should it push precipitation into the UK, then this would readily turn to snow, with a lower chance of freezing rain. How far north the milder air gets is also open to a lot of uncertainty, but for now, many central and northern areas are likely to remain in the Arctic airmass.”

What temperatures will it drop to?

The Met Office have predicted that temperatures could fall to as low as -10C. They have blamed the plummeting temperatures on an “arctic maritime air mass”.

Willington, explained: “As an Arctic maritime airmass settles across the UK temperatures will fall with widespread overnight frosts, severe in places, and daytime temperatures only a few degrees above freezing. However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells, particularly away from the coast and where winds are light it could feel pleasant in the sunshine. Some patchy freezing fog is also likely. ”

Here are some of the lowest temperatures you can expect across the UK this week:

London

In London, temperatures on Friday will peak at just 4C, with an average nighttime temperature of -2C.

Glasgow

In Glasgow, the lowest temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday, with highs between 1C and lows of -5C.

Cardiff

In Cardiff, temperatures will have a high of 2C on Sunday and a low of -1C.

Newcastle

In Newcastle, lows of -1C are predicted until Sunday, with highs varying between 2C and 3C.

Manchester

In Manchester, the freezing temperatures are expected to persist, with Sunday having a low of -4C and a high of just 2C.

Belfast

In Belfast, Saturday will be the coldest predicted day with highs of just 4C and lows of -4C.