UK weather: Cold snap on the way as temperatures set to plummet to -7C and health alerts issued

The UK is set to see temperatures plunge as low as -7C (19.4F) as cold health alerts have been issued.

From Friday, the country is heading into a colder and drier spell of weather.

High pressure over Scandinavia will strengthen and lead to a blocked weather pattern with an easterly flow developing across the UK.

A blocked weather pattern is where a weather system remains almost stationary for a relatively prolonged period of time.

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In winter, when air comes from the east, it typically brings colder and drier conditions, with the risk of some snow.

The term Beast from the East is used when we get exceptionally cold and snowy weather from an easterly direction, like in 2018, but that is unlikely in this set-up.

Firstly, the air over the Baltic States and Russia is not as cold as it would typically be at this time of the year.

Temperatures there are about 5C-10C above average.

Secondly, the airmass dips south before heading to the UK so there is not a direct easterly flow.

'Notable wind chill for many'

So extreme cold is currently unlikely, but daytime temperatures will fall to below average this weekend, lasting through much of next week.

There will also be a notable wind chill in the south and east at times, making it feel freezing.

By night, temperatures will be more typical for February, with a frost forming where skies remain clear.

'Not as cold as last month'

Northwest Scotland will probably see the lowest overnight temperatures, as low as -7C in rural parts, but it doesn't look as cold as last month.

In Altnaharra, northern Scotland, -18.9C (-2F) was recorded on 11 January, the coldest January night in 15 years.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a number of yellow cold health alerts covering areas across England including the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the South East from 9am on Friday until 9am on Tuesday.

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No significant snow expected

With the arrival of colder air, some will get excited about the chance of snow.

At the moment, no significant snow is expected, but parts of the South and East may well see a covering of snow at times, especially on Saturday and Monday.

How long the cold, easterly flow will last is uncertain, but any breakdown to milder, wetter weather would bring a greater chance of heavy snow.

Usually, the UK's most significant snow events happen when warm, moist air moves in and meets cold air sitting across the country.

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