British commuters are being urged to get home by 6 p.m. today as the UK contends with a bitter cold snap expected to cause travel chaos and power cuts, and interrupt mobile service.
According to MailOnline, temperatures that will feel as cold as -15C (5F) are expected in parts of Britain, brought about by a Siberian cold front dubbed “Beast from the East.”Up to eight inches (20 cm) of snow is expected in parts of eastern England and Northern Ireland by Wednesday, the BBC reported. Between two inches (5 cm) and four inches (10 cm) of snow are anticipated to blanket Scotland.
Warnings have reportedly been issued to the elderly and children to make sure they stay warm.
Senior meteorologist Derek Brockway posted this animated map on his Twitter profile, saying this bout of severe weather would likely be a “historic & memorable cold spell!”The severe weather warning has caused some trains to be cancelled in the southeast of England on Monday night.
“Snow showers in the east will become heavier and gradually spread into central parts during the day, with accumulations likely,” said the Met Office.
The Marine Policing Unit of London posted footage of snow falling on the Thames.
The presence of strengthening winds means that it will feel ever colder than nominal temperatures suggest.
According to the Met Office, these are the UK forecasts for the upcoming five days.
Monday daytime:
“Mostly dry with sunny spells across western parts of the UK, but snow showers in the east will become heavier and gradually spread into central parts during the day, with accumulations likely. Feeling bitterly cold in the easterly wind.”
Monday night time:
“Further snow showers, locally heavy, in eastern and southeastern parts. Clear spells and a severe frost for many. Heavy and persistent snow arriving into Scotland and northern England later.”
Tuesday overall:
“A spell of persistent snow moving southwestwards across parts of the UK on Tuesday. Sunny spells and heavy snow showers elsewhere. It will feel bitterly cold in the wind.”
Wednesday to Friday outlook:
“Extremely cold with a significant wind chill for most. Widespread snow showers Wednesday, with the largest snowfalls across northeastern Britain. Possibly some disruptive snowfall across the south Thursday into Friday.”
By the middle of the week, most of the UK is being warned of the potential for delays on the roads, trains, and in the air.
