BRITAIN will soon be warming up after a record-breaking cold snap as a "warm air mass" hits the country.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “For the past week the UK has been in a very cold airmass with temperatures well below average.
"This will change through the weekend as milder air moves in from the Atlantic and pushes that cold airmass out into the North Sea.
“From Monday the whole UK will be in the warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 12-13C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before.”
While its good news in the short term, the cold weather will unfortunately return next month when a 72-hour Arctic blitz sends temperatures to -1C.
Recent weather maps forecast an Arctic weather front approaching the UK in the last few days of February bringing freezing temperatures and snow.
According to WXCharts, from March 2 the mercury could dip as low as -2C in Scotland with temperatures averaging at 2C elsewhere in the UK. The cold snap is forecast to last for at least three days.
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
- Alice Fuller
FORECAST INTO MARCH
According to the Met Office, higher than average pressure is set to sit close to or over the UK, with dry and settled conditions likely.
Temperatures are predicted to be a little below average at the start of the month, slightly increasing the chances of cold spells occurring.
There could be an increased likelihood of overnight frosts and risk of wintry hazards such as snow and ice, but this will be "unlikely to be as disruptive as earlier in the year".
Towards mid-March there are signs of a change to milder conditions.
- John Hall
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS?
You’re eligible for the cold weather payment scheme if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits and meet certain criteria:
- Pension credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for mortgage interest
COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS
Low income households can get £25 a week to help with energy bills during the winter thanks to the cold weather payment scheme.
When temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days on average between November 1 and March 31, eligible Brits are entitled to extra money to heat their homes.
You get £25 for every seven day period where the weather is below 0C during this time frame.
You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government's tool from November 1 onwards.
- John Hall
WET AND WINDY IN SCOTLAND
It will be an unsettled start for Scotland today, turning drier and brighter later.
The Met Office said: "Cloudy with some outbreaks of rain at first, perhaps heavy in places, but becoming intermittent with some drier spells.
"A few sunny intervals in the afternoon but further showers will develop, especially south of Glasgow.
"Early strong winds soon easing. Maximum temperature 8C."
- John Hall
DRIVING IN SEVERE RAIN
Severe weather can present challenges both for keeping the travel networks open and for those navigating through the difficult conditions.
Nine in 10 weather-related deaths and serious injuries on the roads take place in the rain.
The Met Office advises to slow down, choose main roads, dipped headlights, and keep an eye out for spray from other vehicles.
- Alice Fuller
LONG RANGE FORECAST
Temperatures are likely to be mild or very mild across the UK towards the end of the month, with a trend towards average in early March.
Conditions across much of the UK are most likely to turn more settled as high pressure becomes dominant, the Met Office has said.
Drier conditions are likely further east and southeast, with northwestern areas getting some showers and wind.
- John Hall
ARCTIC BLITZ COMING
Britain is set to plummet into a 72-hour Arctic blitz next month as temperatures are expected to drop again to -1C.
Recent weather maps forecast an Arctic weather front approaching the UK in the last few days of February bringing freezing temperatures and risk of snow.
According to WXCharts, from March 2 the mercury could dip as low as -2C in Scotland with temperatures averaging at 2C elsewhere in the UK.
The cold snap is forecast to last for at least three days.
- John Hall
FLOOD WARNINGS
Five flood warnings are in place across the UK today following heavy rain and melting snow and ice.
Flooding is expected in around the River Nene in Northamptonshire and the River Burn from South Creake to Burnham Thorpe.
It is also anticipated in three areas near Hull – the upper River Hull catchment, Beverley and Barmston Drain, and the Roam Drain near Hempholme.
- John Hall
SEVERE FLOODING IN NORFOLK
There has been severe flooding around Welney in Norfolk with more rain forecast for the next few days.
Fields and roads were underwater and motorists struggled to drive after the River Great Ouse burst its banks.
The Environment Agency has put 66 flood alerts in place.
- John Hall
MILD WEATHER TO COME
Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong of the Met Office said: “For the past week the UK has been in a very cold airmass with temperatures well below average.
"This will change through the weekend as milder air moves in from the Atlantic and pushes that cold airmass out into the North Sea.
“From Monday the whole UK will be in the warmer air mass, with daytime temperatures reaching 12-13C in the south, replacing days which never got above freezing the week before.”
- John Hall
TOMORROW'S FORECAST
The Met Office added: "Rain, heavy and persistent in west especially over hills.
"Mainly dry in central and eastern areas, though outbreaks of rain spreading east through the day. Windy with coastal gales."
- John Hall
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
The Met Office added: "Showers, heaviest and most frequent in northwest with hill snow, clearing.
"Then dry and clear with frost in places. Cloud and rain across far west later with coastal gales."
- John Hall
TODAY'S FORECAST
The Met Office said: "Rain, some heavy, moving eastwards followed by sunshine and scattered showers.
"More persistent rain and some hill snow in the NW. Windy and rather mild."
- John Hall
NEXT MONTH TO SEE ARCTIC BLITZ
Britain is set to plummet into a 72-hour Arctic blitz next month as temperatures are set to drop AGAIN to -1C.
Recent weather maps forecast an Arctic weather front approaching the UK in the last few days of February bringing freezing temperatures and risk of snow.
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