Scotland is set to be hit with more sub-zero temperatures as a pool of frozen air over the Arctic makes its way in the coming weeks January. Freezing conditions are expected to be on their way plunging to -9C by next weekend.
Experts fear this could develop into a sudden stratospheric warming event and cause nightmares for Scots, the Mirror reports. Forecasts from WXCharts suggest that we will be blasted by snow and icy winds on Friday morning, with temperatures to plummet to -2C in Central Scotland as soon as tomorrow.
The mercury is expected to drop further to -4C on Sunday, with temperatures to stay low throughout the week. But by the following weekend, parts of Scotland could be faced with a bone-chilling -9C.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said: "A Sudden Stratospheric Warming event is now looking even more likely to occur this winter and this could happen as soon as in the next 10 days or so.
"This will mean that the cold air over the Arctic will be given a route to cross our shores. If an SSW does set in icy weather could hit Brits around the middle of January.
"We could see some snow hitting parts of Britain around the New Year period, but this is likely to be restricted to the northern half of the country.’’
Experts have predicted a collapsing Polar vortex could trigger a major freeze this month, likening it to February 2018 when the Beast from the East hit our shores. With many still reluctant to turn on the heating in the cost of living crisis, the cold blast is predicted to cause problems.
It was just such a weather incident that drove the Arctic deluge five years ago with the UK covered in deep snow and struck with deadly blizzards.
The UK is facing an onslaught of rain as "system after system" hits. There are currently yellow warnings for rain covering swathes of Scotland and Wales, amid fears of potential flooding of homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, bookies Coral has cut the odds on this month ending as the wettest January on record in the UK to 6-4 (from 3-1). The firm also makes it odds-on at 4-5 for 2023 to be the hottest year since records began.
John Hill said: "It has been a damp start to the new year, and with heavy downpours on their way, we have slashed the odds in half on this month ending as the wettest January on record. Looking further ahead, there is some positive news. We make it odds-on for 2023 to end as the hottest year of all time in the UK.”
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