BBC UK weather forecast: Snow, ICE and FREEZING fog to cause significant delays today

The winter takeover continues today, as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow, as well as ice and freezing fog patches pummel the UK this Thursday.

Cold air is dominating the weather forecast, while an area of low pressure is developing over the Atlantic.

Once the moisture from the band of low pressure connects with the cold air there will be a spell of sleet and snow.

Some of the sleet and snow could be heavy and disruptive at times, and the Met Office has issued several yellow warnings for snow, ice and fog.

The weather warnings are in place for Thursday and Friday, and it is possible the snow and ice could cause delays on roads and rails.

BBC Breakfast weather reporter Carol Kirkwood told viewers there would be a number of “hazards” around today.

She said: “There’s some hazards to watch out for. Not just today but also for tonight and tomorrow – snow, ice and freezing fog. These elements are likely to cause some disruptions.”

Although this morning will start off relatively dry, it is going to be rather cold, with freezing fog patches developing in places.

In fact, some of the fog could be quite dense in parts of the UK, meanwhile a few wintry showers hit the Northern Isles and the far north of Scotland.

Temperatures today could drop as low as -15 degrees Celsius in some sheltered Scottish glens, but on average the heat value will range between minus three and six degrees Celsius.

In Wales and the southwest of England this afternoon rain will become increasingly heavier, before turning into sleet and snow.

Overnight and into Friday morning an area of rain, sleet and snow will continue to expand and move northwards and eastwards during Thursday evening and into Friday.

With Met Office weather warnings in place, leading bookmaker Coral has put odds on at 4-5 for this winter to be the coldest in UK history, as forecasts predict a freezing February to end the season.

Temperatures have already reached as low as -10C and some of the UK’s airports were forced to close due to heavy snowfall.

“January has seen some cold weather but all the signs are that next month is going to be the coldest one we’ve had for a very long time,” said Coral’s spokesman Harry Aitkenhead.

“If that does ring true and the snow continues to fall we could well be looking at the coldest winter on record, which is odds on now in our book.”

The bookies make next month 6-4 to be the coldest February on record, whilst it is odds on at 1-2 that snow falls in London by the end of the weekend.

“Northern England has had plenty of snow and whilst London has had some it hasn’t quite joined the party yet,” Harry added.

“That could all end by the weekend and we’re expecting more snow to fall in the capital over the next few days.”

BBC Breakfast airs weekdays on BBC One at 6am.

source: express.co.uk