Scotland’s cold spell is set to come to an end, despite overnight temperatures plunging as low as -13.9°C, the Met Office reports. Parts of Scotland have experienced subzero temperatures over the past few days, with Altnaharra in Sutherland recording a bone-chilling -18.9°C on Friday, marking the coldest January night in 15 years. On Saturday night, Kinbrace saw the UK-wide low of -13.9°C. In contrast, Cavendish in Suffolk experienced -7.8°C, and Hawarden Airport in Wales recorded -2.2°C. Typically, the average low for northern Scotland at this time of year is around 0.3°C, while in England, it is between 1.5°C and 1.6°C.
Freezing fog has been reported in parts of south east England and Northern Ireland, causing potential icy conditions that may persist until morning. The UK Health Security Agency has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday due to the severe conditions. Despite the icy weekend, the weather is expected to improve, with temperatures forecasted to rise. South east areas are set to reach 2-3°C on Sunday, while the far west could enjoy temperatures between 6-9°C. The majority of the country is expected to experience temperatures ranging between 5-7°C, described by Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst as “generally on the chilly side.”
Moving into Monday, temperatures are predicted to milder, with Northern Ireland and western Scotland expecting temperatures to reach around 9-10°C. However, much of the country is still likely to remain subzero, with temperatures hovering between -1°C and -3°C. The upcoming week is expected to start with a divide in temperatures and weather patterns between the north and south of the country. Northern Ireland and the northern regions are anticipated to experience cloudy conditions with patchy rain and temperatures between 9-12°C, while central and southern areas are expected to be drier with temperatures between 5-8°C. Tuesday’s forecast is similar, with potentially drier conditions and temperatures ranging between 11-12°C in the north and 8-9°C in the south.
In summary, although Scotland has been battling freezing temperatures in recent days, the Met Office assures that the cold spell is nearing its end. As temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days, the country can anticipate milder conditions across various regions. With a mix of sunshine and scattered showers, Scotland is set to experience a gradual transition to more typical winter temperatures for this time of year.