Bitter cold snap coming to an end with flooding possible as snow and ice melt
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Temperatures are set to rise to double figures on Monday as the country’s bitter cold snap comes to an end – and the thaw could lead to some flooding. As temperatures move above 0C, ice and snow will begin to melt, with localised flooding possible, the Met Office said.
More than 30 flood alerts are in place across England and Scotland. Greg Dewhurst, meteorologist for the national weather service, said temperatures will be milder across the country, but there will be a north-south split in conditions. He told the PA news agency that the most dramatic change in weather will be in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the far north-west of England.
“Cloudy and patchy rain are moving in from the Atlantic and winds will turn south-westerly, bringing in milder air,” Mr Dewhurst said. Temperatures are set to be well above freezing and will rise overnight into Monday, reaching as high as 10C in Scotland.
Much of England and Wales will be between minus 1C and 3C overnight, which is not as cold as recent nights, Mr Dewhurst said. On Monday, Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern parts of England will be cloudy with outbreaks of patchy rain and temperatures between 9C and 12C.
Meanwhile, central and southern areas of England will be drier, with sunny spells and temperatures between 5C and 8C. There could still be some patchy frost in southern areas, Mr Dewhurst added, as the UK Health Security Agency’s cold weather health alert remains in place until Tuesday.
