Get your big coat out. And your wooly hat. Probably a scarf, gloves, and long johns too. It’s going to get very, very cold.
Temperatures are set to drop to -10° as a polar freeze sweeps across the UK next week. The Met Office has issued warnings of snow, sleet, ice and widespread frost for much of Britain. Eight inches of snow are expected to fall, causing huge travel disruption across the country.
The cold snap is expected to last the rest of the month and stretch into the beginning of February.
Hill snow is expected over northern England and Scotland, while the south-west will be hit with heavy showers.
On Sunday, rain and hill snow is expected to move south-eastwards, hitting northern England and Wales later on in the day.
Tuesday and Wednesday of next week are expected to be brighter, but heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow are also predicted.
Temperatures are predicted to plummet over the course of next week, with the Express claiming they could fall as low as -10 degrees.
London and its neighbouring counties will be hit with snow on January 27th, with strong winds also expected, which could heavily reduce visibility.
Drivers will have to be extra careful as they tackle a return of the ‘Beast from the East’ that swept the nation last spring.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “On Monday and early Tuesday, a band of heavier rain, hill snow and strong winds will move quickly south across the UK, followed by wintry showers for the middle of the week.
“Some of the showers will be heavy bringing a mixture of rain, hail, sleet and snow, most frequently across parts of the north and west.”
The Met Office also warned: “As we go through the rest of the month and into February the longer-range outlook indicates it will remain cold and possibly very cold for a time.”
Public Health England’s Dr Emer O’Connell said: “Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold.
“Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people do not manage to keep themselves warm
“If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there’s anything you can do to help.
“All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them – simple steps can really help protect against the cold.”
