UK weather: Met Office warns Arctic blast to bring more snow and ‘wintry hazards’
More snow and freezing temperatures are on the way as a blast of cold weather from the Arctic moves in.
The Met Office has warned of an “increasing chance of wintry hazards” in the coming days before parts of the country can expect snow next week.
There has been a frosty start to Wednesday for much of the country, with temperatures as low as -1C in southern Wales and -2C in the south of England.
The Met Office said the UK is experiencing colder than average weather because the country is under the influence of high pressure – bringing settled conditions.
The UK is set to be largely dry this week – after a wet start to January, with Storm Henk causing widespread flooding and two deaths as it lashed the country with strong winds and heavy rain.
More than 100 flood warnings remain in place as the country continues to recover from the storm.
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Snow coats County Durham
Arctic air moving in
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “A cold front from the north towards the weekend will mark another change in the airmass for the UK, moving from something with a bit of an Atlantic influence to air that comes more directly from the Arctic.”
The cold front over the weekend will bring some rain to northern areas, with the west of Scotland likely to be most affected.
Get the latest Sky News weather forecast here
Snowfall in Kent on Monday
Snow in Lenham, Kent, on Monday
‘Resurgence in the really cold weather’
Will Lang, the Met Office’s head of situational awareness, said: “There will be a resurgence in the really cold weather through the weekend and that spreads across the whole of the UK during the early part of next week.
“Initially, this means there will be more in the way of showers around the coasts, turning increasingly to snow for many areas, especially further north.”
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A person walks through snow in Kent on Monday
‘Ingredients for snow’
Looking ahead to next week, Mr McGivern added: “We start with a northerly airflow and snow showers, especially near the coasts in the north. But there will also be brighter skies for some.
“Then, from the middle of next week, low pressure tries to move in from the South West, and the impact of this is still a bit uncertain at this range.
“Different models are saying different things in terms of the track of this low, but you have the ingredients for snow with cold air in place and additional moisture supplied from the Atlantic, which will bring rain, but on the boundary with the cold air, you could see some snow.”
Met Office forecasters have said the intensity, location or impacts of any snow next week remain unclear.
A flooded car park in Wallingford in Oxfordshire. on Tuesday
More flooding expected
The Environment Agency had 110 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, in place at 7.30am on Wednesday morning.
They covered areas such as Walton, Sunbury and Wraysbury along the River Thames, as well as Tewkesbury along the River Severn and Newbury on the River Kennet. There were also 119 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, in place across England.
There were no warnings in place in Wales, where there were two alerts – one for South Pembrokeshire and another for the Lower Dee catchment. There were no alerts in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It comes after environment minister Robbie Moore said at least 2,000 properties flooded as a result of Storm Henk.
The worst-affected areas will be able to apply for thousands of pounds in government money to pay for recovery work and repairs.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
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Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
UK
How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms
It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street.
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
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An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.
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