UK weather forecast: Polar ice blast to plunge Britain into sub-zero freeze

Forecasters are predicting temperatures to plummet as the UK is set to be pummelled by a Polar ice blast.

WXCharts is temperatures will plunge to an icy -8C in central Scotland at around lunchtime next Thursday, January 18.

Temperatures are set to fall below 0C as far south as Cardiff and north London.

It is set to be -5C in Manchester, -4C in Newcastle and 0C in Birmingham.

Brits are being advised to wrap up warm and take care underfoot when temperatures stay below freezing for an extended period of time.

A spokesperson from the Met Office: “By the middle of next week, the wind should ease and, with high pressure in charge, there should be a good deal of dry weather.

“Cloud amounts will continue to be quite variable, but all areas should see some sunshine at times. Much colder than recently, with frost probably becoming quite widespread and some freezing fog patches are possible in places.

“Beyond next week, conditions are likely to remain cold, with an increasing chance of some wintry showers, particularly in the north.”

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Weather maps showing “peak wind gust” on January 18 have turned white and blue, signifying a weak but chilly wind covering most of the UK from the north of Scotland down to Cardiff and Birmingham.

These wind gusts will make temperatures feel even colder than what they actually are across Britain.

After January 18, it is likely to be drier than in recent weeks, but what does fall is more likely to be of a wintry nature.

The Met Office said: “While there is a chance of brief, unsettled spells, which would bring milder air for a time, it would likely also be accompanied by a period of sleet or snow.”

It comes after Storm Henk caused travel chaos across the UK earlier this week.

More than 700 flood alerts were issued across Britain, with 331 flood warnings and 362 flood alerts put also in place.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency put out two flood alerts and one flood warning.

Natural Resources Wales confirmed another severe flood warning was in place, along with 10 warnings and 38 alerts.