More snow forecast across much of UK after coldest January for 10 years
Snow, ice, heavy rain and floods could affect several areas this week
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OH SNOW
Scotland weather: Beast from the East fears as snow causes Highlands travel chaos as temps to plummet to -12C
Paul Drury
Updated: 1 Jan 2021, 8:48
Paul Drury
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SCOTS are on alert for another potential Beast from the East - with Highlands travel chaos sparked after heavy snowfall.
A phenomenon known as ‘Sudden Stratospheric Warming’ happens when the temperature in the stratosphere soars by 50C.
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Scotland has been blanketed by snowCredit: Alamy Live News
This has the effect of ‘reversing’ Britain’s wind pattern, from the warmer west out in the Atlantic to the east - and the frozen wastes of Siberia.
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Britain can expect wintry conditions to continue into the New Year, with freezing fog set to sweep the country tonight and further snow flurries expected tomorrow.
The final day of 2020 brought bitterly cold conditions for much of the UK and more snow - with a low of -7.5C (-18.5F) recorded in Topcliffe, near Thirsk in North Yorkshire.
Tobogganers were out in force today as parts of northern England and Scotland enjoyed a blanket of the white stuff - and outdoor lovers can expect more of the same tomorrow.
Met Office forecaster Clare Nasir said: New Year s Eve will bear with it again the risk of rain, sleet and snow, another feature sliding down the country from northern Scotland.
weather logo AS we wind down the last few hours of 2020, the Met Office says this year has been one of extremes with the wettest February on record, the sunniest spring, a heatwave in the summer and a day in October breaking rainfall records. With just a few hours left on the clock, 2020 looks likely to be the third or fourth warmest on record. This makes it clear that the general trend of warming as a consequence of climate change is being seen, not just at a global level, but in our own national temperature records. Not only will 2020 be one of the top five hottest on record for the UK, but also it will be one of the top ten wettest and the top ten sunniest years.
By Press Association 2021
Environment Agency teams work on temporary flood barriers in the Wharfage area of Ironbridge, Shropshire, after floodwaters receded following an emergency evacuation of some properties earlier this week (Matthew Cooper/PA)
2020 has been hailed as a “truly remarkable” weather year after featuring the sunniest spring and the wettest February on record.
The Met Office said the UK’s “year of extremes” was on course to be the third or fourth warmest year on record, and to be in the top 10 for both rainfall and sunshine.
As well as a summer heatwave, 2020 also boasted an October day which smashed rainfall records.