The United Kingdom is experiencing its most intense cold spell of the winter, with conditions more akin to Finland, but forecasters predict a gradual thaw will begin this weekend. However, an explosive end to the freeze is expected first, as Storm Goretti is set to hit on Thursday evening, bringing blizzards, powerful winds, freezing rain, and further heavy snow.
Peak of the Freeze and an Explosive Storm
Tuesday night marked the coldest period so far this winter, with temperatures plunging below freezing nationwide. The lowest recorded temperature was a biting -12.5°C in Marham, Norfolk. The severity in Scotland has prompted calls for Army assistance. Jim Dale, founder of British Weather Services, explained the conditions that led to the extreme chill: "What you need for a cold night is the polar air, clear nights so you've got maximum radiation from the Earth's surface, and no wind... that's exactly what we had."
He does not anticipate such lows will be repeated across most of the UK in the short term, though parts of Scotland, like Turroch Bridge and Altnaharra, may still see them. The arrival of Storm Goretti on Thursday will signal a dramatic, if hazardous, shift, introducing milder Atlantic air that will eventually ease the deep freeze.
A Gradual Thaw and Ongoing Warnings
While temperatures are expected to moderate after the weekend, unseasonable warmth is not on the horizon. "We're going to edge our way out of it in England and Wales, less so in Scotland," Mr Dale stated, predicting a "to and fro" between cold and milder spells for the rest of January. Some southern and southwestern areas could see daytime highs of around 10°C next week, though this will not be sustained.
The Met Office has multiple weather warnings active. A yellow warning for ice covers nearly the entire UK on Wednesday, with warnings for snow, ice, and wind remaining until lunchtime on Friday. The public is urged to stay #WeatherAware due to the hazardous conditions.
Cold Weather Payments Triggered
The prolonged freeze has activated the government's Cold Weather Payment scheme, providing financial support for heating costs to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable households. Eligible homes automatically receive £25 when temperatures are recorded or forecast to be zero or below for seven consecutive days.
Payments have been triggered for postcodes in 451 areas across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including Penrith, the Yorkshire Dales, Norwich, Milton Keynes, and Crawley. With triggers on December 30, and January 1, 2, 3, and 6, some households in Cumbria and Northumberland will receive a £50 payout for meeting the threshold twice.
As Storm Goretti prepares to batter the country, the nation is looking ahead to a slow climb out of the deep freeze, albeit with significant disruption expected before conditions finally begin to ease.
