UK weather forecast: Thunder, snow and hail to hit as 'arctic winds' blast Britain

Jacob Jarvis26 October 2018

Arctic winds will bring bitterly cold weather to the UK this weekend with parts of Britain to be blasted by snow, hail and thunderstorms.

On Friday, snow fell on peaks areas in northern Scotland, while other highland areas in Britain were expected to be hit as well.

Nicola Maxey, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: “Certainly got some snow expected for northern Scotland for today and tomorrow.

“There’s a chance we might see some resting on top of the hills in northern England as well.

“Some of that snow could be fairly heavy in the far north.”

Early winter snow on the summit of Culardoch near Braemar in Aberdeenshire
PA

Northern Ireland could also potentially see patchy snow with a light dusting in high grounds.

Central areas could stay dry and even see sun over the weekend but the cold weather will persist.

In London on Saturday, temperatures could be around seven or eight degrees Celsius, though feel like one to three.

There is a risk of ice and fog on the roads
PA Archive/PA Images

“It’s that cold really that most people will notice. Cooler temperatures and the wind chill effect

“Arctic wind is going to be a feature for most people,” added Ms Maxey.

She said there will be a “risk of ice and frost” overnight and that the cold winds were coming from the North.

​Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern added in a video forecast there will be a "chilly start" across the UK "for all of us" on Saturday and temperatures of "sub zero in the countryside".

As well as this there will be a chance of heavy rain and hail showers in northern Ireland, Wales, the south west and some in the east of England on Saturday morning.

Places which could see thunder are most likely the east of England, near the coast.

Looking to next week, she said there could potentially be more snow in northern Scotland on Tuesday, but there is “a lot of uncertainty”.

The Met Office’s main forecast for the next five days said generally it will be “turning colder with strong northerly winds and heavy showers”

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