The United Kingdom has shivered through its coldest night since March, marking a dramatic temperature drop as a severe cold snap moves in swiftly after the flooding caused by Storm Claudia.
Record Low Temperatures Grip the Nation
According to the Met Office, the mercury plummeted to a chilling -7°C (19.4°F) in Tulloch Bridge in the Scottish Highlands on Saturday night. This is the lowest temperature recorded in the UK since 20 March. The weather agency has warned that conditions are set to deteriorate further at the start of the week, raising the possibility of snow and a significant "marked wind chill" across large parts of the country.
This abrupt change comes in the wake of Storm Claudia, which deluged southern England and Wales with heavy rain. The aftermath was severe, with a major incident declared in Monmouth over the weekend due to extensive flooding.
Arctic Blast Set to Deepen the Chill
The Sky Weather team forecasts a sharp decline in daytime temperatures by early next week. Parts of the south could see temperatures around 10°C (50°F) lower than recent levels. Dan Holley, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained the cause: a high-pressure system to the northwest is driving a cold northerly flow from the Arctic, ushering in much colder conditions.
Mr Holley added, "There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places next week, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country." He emphasised that the combination of low temperatures and a brisk northerly wind will create a notable wind chill, representing a significant shift from the prolonged spell of above-average temperatures. He also confirmed that warnings for snow and ice may be issued.
Official Warnings and Ongoing Flooding
In response to the forecast, the UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. This alert is active from 8am on Monday until 8am on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has cautioned that flooding impacts from Storm Claudia are not over. As of 10am on Sunday, 28 flood warnings and 91 alerts were in effect across England. The situation in Wales is particularly grave, where Natural Resources Wales has imposed four severe flood warnings, indicating potential danger to life. The government body reported that river levels on the Monnow reached record highs, surpassing those seen during both Storm Dennis in 2020 and Storm Bert last year.
