A "powerful Atlantic intrusion" of cyclonic storms is set to hit Britain with blasts of snow.
Extreme cold temperatures will ease slightly today, although "wintry hazards" may threaten the UK this month. Arctic northerlies, which pushed thermometers close to -10C over the past few days, are about to lock horns with the Atlantic.
Milder westerlies will boost the mercury slightly while ploughing in snow-forming, moisture-laden winds from the coasts.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “Things are going to change with Atlantic intrusions from the west, and some of these this week will be quite powerful. Winds will arrive carrying moisture, and these are going to meet the very cold air over the country which bring the risk of further snowfall. This pattern of cold is not going to go anywhere certainly through the rest of the week, and possibly beyond.”
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"Complex" atmospheric patterns throwing weather models into chaos have meteorologists scratching their heads.
A relentless tussle between the Arctic and the Atlantic has snow predictions yo-yoing by the day.
Mr Dale said: “This is one of the most complex situations I have seen, with things constantly changing to either bring in the Atlantic or keep us locked in this Arctic cold. We are in a battle ground, and that is why the weather models are not handing this cold period as they should but instead changing by the day. Depending on the interactions between low pressure in the Atlantic and high pressure, we could get further heavy snowfall or an extended period of colder dry weather.”
Swathes of the country will wake again to a freezing day today, with delays possible due to ice and snow.
Further heavy snow is in the forecast this week
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The Met Office has warnings in force until tonight across Scotland, Wales and the east coast of England.
Government forecasters warn of the ongoing risk of power cuts, impassible routes and travel cancellations.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “It is going to be a cold and icy start for many with cloud and rain and snow pushing eastwards across Northern Ireland and Scotland through the day, with cloudy skies into northern England with one or two sprinkles of sleet or snow. Temperatures will be just a little higher with highs of around 7C or 8C around the far southwest of England, but it is still feeling chilly in central and eastern parts of the UK with temperatures about 2C or 3C at best. It is another cold and frosty start on Wednesday with sunshine initially but turning wetter and windier through the west through the afternoon and evening.”
A UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Cold Weather Health Alert has been extended across Britain until the end of the week.
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A sheep walks in a field of snow in Treorchy, Wales
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It warns of a "rise in deaths" among the elderly and vulnerable and increased pressure on health services.
A UKHSA spokesman said: “Low temperatures are predicted to result in increased use of health care services by vulnerable people and an increase in risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and over and those with serious underlying health conditions, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Other vulnerable groups such as those sleeping rough, will also be at increased risk.”
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