Britain is forecast the coldest winter for eight years – as frozen air from the North Pole triggers -11C (12F) shivers, snow and ice for many and transport chaos.
Amid the first snow of winter, the country was warned of the worst winter since 2010-11, which saw December 2010’s month-long Big Freeze.
Temperatures then reached as low as -21C in the remote hamlet of Altnaharra in the Highlands of Scotland.
The Met Office forecasts a mostly colder-than-average month ahead until late November. It has not yet issued its winter forecast.
The Weather Company, the world’s biggest commercial forecaster, predicted the UK’s coldest winter for eight years, with December cold spells and extended January and February freezes.
Snow, -11C lows and travel chaos are due.
Arctic air plumes, a weak Atlantic jet stream and weakening solar output are blamed.
This winter will be the coldest since 2010-11 if the UK’s average temperature from December to February is 0.4C colder than winter’s 3.7C average, Met Office records show.
That would be colder than last winter – which saw the Beast from the East freeze the country and had an average temperature of 3.56C – and winter 2012-13, which saw a month of Government health warnings as winter averaged 3.34C.
Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Company’s Weather Channel arm, said: “The UK is looking at the coldest winter for eight years, since 2010-11.
“After cold snaps in a mixed start to winter, we forecast the coldest periods with Arctic influence and snow in January and February.
“Low temperatures should exceed -10C. Travel disruption is expected.
“A strong Atlantic jet stream gives the UK a mild westerly flow with colder air trapped in the Arctic – but a weaker jet stream is forecast this winter, allowing Arctic air to drain south to the UK.
“This causes much colder and longer-lasting cold periods than during a normal winter.
“A colder winter is also expected due to the sun’s activity cycle approaching a ‘solar minimum,’ meaning there is less heat and energy reaching Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to weaker jet stream winds.”
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: “The chance of winter 2018-19 being cold or very cold has increased.”
A Met Office forecast said: “Temperatures end October cold or rather cold, then recover.
"From November 10 to 24, temperatures will be generally below normal, with a greater likelihood of frost and snow for higher ground, especially in the North, with any mild spells short-lived.”
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