UK weather FREEZE: 60 days of HEAVY SNOW as Britain to be plunged into ARCTIC WINTER, Mini Ice Age 2015-2035
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BRITAIN is about to be plunged into a TWO-MONTH big freeze with heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures set to take hold this weekend.
Bitter winds threaten to scour the country through December and into the New Year as the nation hunkers down for a full-throttle Arctic blast.
The Government has this morning issued the first health warning of the season ahead of bitter cold weather setting in over the next 48 hours.
Temperatures across Britain are forecast to nosedive bringing lows of -6C (21.2F) to the north and freezing or below elsewhere.
Icy winds will make it feel close to -9C (15.8F) in parts towards the end of next week with even London, Kent and the southwest touching -4C (24.8F).
Latest weather models show a rapidly growing risk of heavy snow across Scotland, Wales, the east coast and parts of central England.
There is even a chance of wintry showers as far south as London, Kent and the West Country before the end of this month.
The cold snap is expected to hold out through the start of winter - which officially starts next Friday - with some forecasters warning to wrap up into January.
Long range forecasters have re-sounded warnings to prepare for heavy snow, bitter winds and sub-zero temperatures possibly until spring.
During the last part of November we expect widespread heavy snow with thunder at times and bitter winds
Piers Corbyn - forecaster for WeatherAction
Stormy conditions in Scotland and the north will whip up gale-force blizzards and thunder snow while the south is also facing an imminent winter whiteout.
A combination of "wild" jet-stream activity and a shift in cold air over the Arctic - a so-called displaced Polar vortex - are thought to be the main drivers.
A La Nina cooling of the eastern Pacific which has been linked to colder than average winters in the UK will add to the mix.
Piers Corbyn, forecaster for WeatherAction, said: "During the last part of November we expect widespread heavy snow with thunder at times and bitter winds.
Strong northerly gales will contribute to bringing blizzard conditions with snow possible across much of the country.
"The jet stream is making wild north to south swings and we are also seeing a displacement of the Polar vortex which will allow cold winds in from the Arctic."
The Met Office with Public Health England (PHE) has today issued the first cold weather health alert of the season.
The Level-2 'Alert and readiness' warning states there is a "70 per cent chance of severe cold weather/icy conditions" this weekend.
Paul Gundersen, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Colder air has now reached most parts of England, with temperatures expected to fall further by Saturday, when the cold will accentuated by strengthening winds.
"Wintry showers are also likely in places, but any snow showers are expected to be confined largely to higher ground.
"A temporary incursion of warmer air is expected on Monday, with the colder air forecast to return by Tuesday."
