An icy blast from the Arctic is set to cause temperatures to dramatically drop across the UK in the upcoming week, according to weather forecasters.
The mercury is expected to plunge by up to 9 degrees Celsius, marking a decrease of about 40%, by Wednesday, September 24, as a cold low-pressure system moves southward. The Met Office has verified that a colder period is on the horizon following warm temperatures for the time of year, reaching highs of 22 degrees Celsius this week in Hull and Rostherne, Cheshire.
By Wednesday afternoon, Hull might experience temperatures around 13 degrees Celsius, with even colder conditions elsewhere, such as 10 degrees Celsius in Derbyshire, 11 degrees Celsius in Northamptonshire, and down to 8 degrees Celsius in parts of Scotland.
Meteorologist Jo Farrow, from NetWeather, has highlighted that colder air originating from the Arctic will sweep across the UK, displacing the warmer air that has prevailed this week. While southern regions of Britain will still see temperatures in the high teens to low 20s this week, a colder air mass is expected to envelop the UK over the weekend and into the following week, possibly leading to the first frosts in the north and an autumn chill if winds intensify.
UK weather maps for the next week suggest predominantly cold and windy conditions. The Met Office has cautioned the public about an unsettled weekend ahead, with frequent fog and frost patches anticipated during the week.
Despite the drop in temperatures, minimal rainfall is expected in the upcoming days. Today is forecasted to be dry, especially in eastern regions, and Friday is likely to remain dry across southern counties, including Greater London and its surroundings.
Recent heavy rainfall, including over 40mm in rural north Wales on Wednesday, has increased the risk of flooding in some areas like Cumbria in the Northwest of England, where river levels are close to saturation.