UK weather forecast today – 48 hour 'polar blast' to bring FREEZING temperatures as sub-zero winter gets under way

HEAVY rain will batter some parts of Britain today before cold air moves in from the Arctic causing temperatures to plummet.

The Arctic blast is likely to bring freezing fog and dense frost across much of the UK in the coming days.

There is now a 45 per cent chance of a White Christmas in Scotland, according to forecaster NetWeather.

Edinburgh and Newcastle are the most likely cities to see snowfall on Christmas Day if the bookies are to be believed.

Follow our weather live blog for all the latest news and updates…

  • Catriona Graffius

    HEAVY RAIN SET FOR NORTH OF ENGLAND

    The North of England will see wet weather today as a band of rain pushes from the North West across the country.

    Both Manchester and Hull are set for a wet and windy start to the day – but conditions could clear up by the afternoon.

    Tonight will feel cold across the country as skies clear and a west breeze picks up.

  • Britta Zeltmann

    OUTLOOK FOR TONIGHT

    It will be a cloudy night tonight with light rain clearing everywhere apart from the far southeast of England.

    Most parts will be dry, although cooler temperatures will turn to frosty in places, with a few fog patches forming.

    The Met Office map below shows the forecast for 6pm this evening.

  • Britta Zeltmann

    TODAY’S FORECAST

    It’s set to be a dry day for most with sunny spells followed by colder conditions.

    A band of rain will edge southeastwards across England and Wales while a few showers affecting northwestern parts.

    The map below shows the outlook from the Met Office for midday today.

  • Chris Bradford

    A WHITE XMAS NORTH OF THE BORDER?

    There is a 45 per cent chance of snow on Christmas Day in Scotland, according to Netweather UK.

    Odds of snowfall on December 25 are just over 30 per cent in northern England, while there is only a 15 per cent chance in the south.

    There is a one in four chance of snowfall in Wales, according to the forecaster.

  • Chris Bradford

    A WHITE CHRISTMAS?

    Edinburgh and Newcastle are the likely cities to experience snow on Christmas Day if the bookies are to be believed.

    The two cities cannot be separated with Ladbrokes offering 3/1.

    Belfast, Cardiff, Dublin and Manchester are all at odds of 4/1.

    London is a relative outsider with odds of a tempting 5/1.

    While, Paddy Power are offering 1/16 odds for snow to fall at Winnipeg airport in Canada on December 25.

  • Chris Bradford

    FRIGID TEMPERATURES

    I'm a Celeb stars will soon have a battle with the elements as Arctic winds are expected to sweep across the country next week.

    Temperatures across the UK, including in Abergele are set to plummet.

    With temperatures in Scotland dipping as low as -5C, the UK will likely be waking up to a new layer of frost on Wednesday morning.

    The Met Office reports that the Welsh town, closest to Gwrych Castle, will hit a low of 4C – meaning campmates will have to overcome brisk temperatures as well as creepy crawlies.

  • Chris Bradford

    NOT SO HAPPY CAMPERS

    Campmates in the I'm a Celebrity… Get me Out of Here! castle will face heavy downpours this evening.

    Rain is expected in Abergele, Wales this evening and into the early hours of tomorrow.

    A band of rain will push in from the north-west bringing outbreaks of rain to most places by midnight.

    Rain will ease before dawn, with temperatures hovering between 8-9C.

  • Chris Bradford

    THE WEEK AHEAD

    Colder air arriving on Wednesday will stay in place over the UK through Saturday.

    Temperatures will remain below average for this time of year.

    There will be an area of high pressure that will tend to keep things dry and fine, but cloudier skies are expected in Scotland.

    By Saturday, there is a chance of some milder air and showers for eastern areas as winds move southerly.

  • Chris Bradford

    FLOODING EXPECTED IN CUMBRIA

    Flooding is expected tomorrow morning in Keswick, Cumbria as river levels continue to rise.

    Low lying areas bordering the shores of Derwent Water and Keswick campsite are likely to be affected.

    The Environment Agency has urged motorists to plan driving routes – avoiding low-lying roads near rivers which may be flooded.

    There is a 100 per cent chance of rain at 10pm this evening and downpours are likely to continue into Wednesday morning.

  • Chris Bradford

    TURNING COLD IN THE NORTH EAST

    Downpours are likely in the North East of England this evening as temperatures turn colder.

    It will be cloudy with mist covering western hills, and further rain and drizzle affecting most parts.

    Rain will ease overnight, with some colder and clear spells arriving – increasing the likelihood of a touch of early morning frost.

    Temperatures could dip to as low as 2C tonight.

  • Chris Bradford

    IN PICTURES: A SILHOUETTE OF TREES DURING SUNSET OVER GREENWICH PARK, LONDON

  • Chris Bradford

    IN PICTURES: SHARD BATHED IN RED DURING THE AUTUMN SUNSET IN LONDON

  • Chris Bradford

    RAIN TO HIT THE SOUTH WEST

    Rain will hit south-west England overnight but the weather will be drier towards the end of the week.

    It will be a cloudy and wet night as a few isolated local showers begin in the evening before a potentially heavy band of rain moves in during the night.

    The rainfall will continue to linger into the morning but skies should clear by midday.

  • Chris Bradford

    NORTH WEST FORECAST

    It will be a cloudy and wet night as a band of rain moves into the region.

    This will affect northern areas first but will pass eastwards by the early morning.

    Wind will also ease heading into tomorrow morning.

    Minimum temperatures are expected to be in the region of 4C.

  • Chris Bradford

    IS SNOW LIKELY TO FALL IN LONDON?

    No autumn snow has yet graced the capital but could this change in the coming weeks?

    The Met Office long range forecast predicts settled conditions across the south of the UK, with outbreaks of rain and strong winds, likely, but not restricted to, northern and western regions.

    Temperatures will close to the normal average with overnight frosts and some mist and fog in places.

    According to MetCheck, there is only a 10 per cent chance of snow on December 3, suggesting we may have to wait a bit longer for a dusting.

  • Chris Bradford

    TOMORROW'S FORECAST

    Tomorrow will see cloud and rain move over parts of England and Wales.

    Downpours will move eastwards and will remain confined to eastern and south-eastern England later in the day.

    But, don't be disheartened as brighter conditions will follow.

    There could be showers in the north-west.

  • Chris Bradford

    TONIGHT'S FORECAST

    Early evening cloud and rain over Scotland and Northern Ireland moves eastwards into parts of England and Wales.

    Clear spells and a few showers then follow into Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    Eastern and southeastern England will stay mainly dry.

  • Chris Bradford

    IN PICTURES: SPECTACULAR SUNRISE IN SWANSEA

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    MORE THAN 50 MIGRANTS CROSSED THE CHANNEL IN SMALL BOATS DURING A RARE BREAK IN BAD WEATHER

    More than 50 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats during a rare break in bad weather.

    The Home Office confirmed 43 people were detained in three vessels on Monday.

    They arrived as French authorities stopped more than 200 attempted crossings in four separate incidents on four beaches along their coastline.

    Despite conditions at sea described as “very choppy”, a further 11 migrants have been brought in today/yesterday (TUE) in one boat.

    They were seen on the back of a small black Border Force vessel wearing coats, hooded jumpers and woolly hats for warmth.

    Immigration officers then escorted the group up the gangway at Dover Marina, Kent to be processed.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    WEATHER THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT

    Early evening cloud and rain over Scotland and Northern Ireland moves eastwards into parts of England and Wales.

    Clear spells and a few showers then follow into Scotland and Northern Ireland.

    Eastern and southeastern England staying mainly dry.

    (Met Office)

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    CAMPERS TRASHED SCOTTISH BEAUTY SPOT DESPITE FREEZING WEATHER

    Campers trashed a lochside beauty spot leaving a burning bonfire, abandoned camping equipment and human waste – despite freezing weather.

    Despite freezing temperatures at the weekend, anti-social campers flocked to Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands.

    Defiant visitors believed to be from Glasgow which is subject to a travel ban due to being in Tier 4 of the Scottish Government's coronavirus restrictions, caused havoc.

    Shocked locals discovered the area trashed, with inflatable mattresses floating in the loch, abandoned beer cans, and camping equipment including tents, tarpaulin, camping chairs and clothes.

    Trees were also cut down, and fire crews were called to extinguish a bonfire on Sunday morning, just after 9.30am.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE

    There are three flood warnings in place across the UK. Below are the warnings –

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    WEATHER FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY

    Fog and low cloud forming each night and locally persisting by day, otherwise largely clear or bright.

    In the northwest it will be cloudier with some light rain.

    Rather cold.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    THAMES BARRIER WAS CLOSED TWICE LAST WEEK OVER FEARS LONDON COULD BE DEVASTATED BY FLOODS

    The Thames barrier was closed TWICE last week, sparking fears London could be on the brink of devastating floods.

    High spring tides combined with a storm surge to threaten the city.

    The barrier protects the city from flooding and closes when the threat of the river overflowing dramatically is high.

    It has only shut a total of 195 times over 38 years and experts have said that twice in one week is a very rare event.

    The barrier is wearing down at a more rapid rate than usual due to climate change.

    It has cost an estimated £2billion in maintenance and construction since work first began in the 1970s.

    It was originally estimated to last hundreds of years but will already need replacing in just a decade according to one expert.

    Another expert had a slightly longer-term forecast of 2050 but both warned that without the barriers, London could be obliterated.

  • Niamh Cavanagh

    TEMPERATURES WILL REACH MID-TEENS IN SOME AREAS TODAY

    Temperatures across the UK will be higher than expected with some areas feeling a mild 13C.

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