UK weather: Freezing rain and 80mph gusts forecast as cold snap comes to an end

13 February 2021, 20:36

A member of the public walks through the snow in Kelso, Scotland
A member of the public walks through the snow in Kelso, Scotland. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Freezing rain, treacherous ice and 80mph gusts will mark the end of the UK's cold snap - with milder weather forecast from Monday.

Strong winds are expected to hit parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland's east coast between 4am and midnight on Sunday, the Met Office said.

A yellow weather warning for ice is also in place for most of Scotland, northern England and the Midlands until 9pm.

Freezing rain and "treacherous ice" is expected to occur in those areas, leading to possible disruption, the warning said.

Met Office forecaster Luke Miall said Sunday will not be "particularly pleasant" for most people, with winds reaching up to 40mph inland across England.

He said: "It's going to be a bitterly cold day. Certainly where you've got freezing rain and ice, combined with those strong winds."

Overnight temperatures on Saturday are forecast to drop to minus 8C in Scotland and between minus 1C and minus 5C in England and Wales.

Daytime temperatures will hover around 2C in eastern areas, increasing to 11C in south-west England.

A yellow weather alert for wind warns of gusts of up to 80mph and large waves for coastal areas in western Scotland and Northern Ireland's east coast.

Temperatures will begin to increase from Monday, with the mercury rising to 13C across England.

However, Mr Miall said the weather will be "quite wet and windy" for most of the week.

He said: "We will be hovering between 7C to 12C, I suspect, through Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday.

"Most of the snow will start melting early in the week, with the exception being Scotland because they have had so much of it."

The coldest UK temperature for 65 years was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday night, when the mercury dropped down to minus 23C.

A record low temperature for February was also recorded in England and Wales when temperatures in Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, dropped to minus 15.3C overnight on Thursday.

South east England blanketed by snow as Storm Darcy hits

The chilly conditions froze Trafalgar Square's fountains and brought large amounts of snowfall to regions across the country.

In Derbyshire's High Peak area, the impressive Kinder Downfall also froze, turning the 98ft waterfall into a slippery climbing wall.

Public Health England (PHE) has extended its cold weather alert through the weekend and has urged people to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours.

Dr Owen Landeg, group leader for extreme events and health protection at PHE, said: "Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

"Make a call, or socially-distanced doorstep visit if they live close by, to remind them to heat their home to at least 18C, 64.4F, and to keep up to date with the forecast.

"It's also helpful to check they have enough food and drinks and any medicines they need."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The ASA did not uphold complaints about Price appearing to be unhealthily thin, and concluded that the ad was not irresponsible on that basis.

'Not empowering - just objectifying': Advertising watchdog bans Diesel ad featuring Katie Price

A number of homes and police vehicles were damaged during the riotous behaviour.

Police use water cannon in Ballymena after petrol bombs thrown at officers and car set on fire in second night of disorder

Bowel cancer patient Kelly Buckle, 40, is operated on during a state-of-the-art robot assisted surgery performed by the NHS at Solihull Surgical Hub in Solihull Hospital, West Midlands.

Robotic surgery set to soar in NHS as 90% of all keyhole surgeries to be assisted by robots in decade

Despite weaker demand, renters are still facing a limited supply of homes for rent, Zoopla said.

'Still being squeezed': Rent rises slow to four-year low but low-income tenants say crisis far from over

Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers of England acknowledge the fans after the teams defeat in the international friendly match between England and Senegal at City Ground on June 10, 2025.

Tuchel insists ‘no need to panic’ as England booed off for second time in four days after shock defeat against Senegal

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions jackpot rolls over again as UK’s largest ever prize of £208m is unclaimed

The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.

Missiles thrown at police in second night of Northern Ireland disorder following protest over alleged sexual assault

Emergency services at the scene on Russell Close in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, where a man and a nine-year-old girl died in a house fire on Sunday morning.

Father and nine-year-old daughter that died in house fire named, as girl, 11, still fighting for life in hospital

The global superstar has reportedly offered seats to her London tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to families in need through food banks across the city.

Beyoncé 'gives away' gig tickets to low-income families after struggling to fill seats at Cowboy Carter London tour

from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years.

Cervical screening invites to be sent out every five years for some women in new NHS changes

Alex Eastwood

Kickboxer, 15, who died after charity match had fought 34-year-old man week before

Exclusive
The government is to introduce extra measures to protect emergency workers from religious and racist abuse, LBC has learned.

New laws to clamp down on racial and religious abuse of emergency workers, LBC learns

British Police Officers in London England UK

Police officers sacked for gross misconduct to be blocked from joining local forces in drive to improve standards

On Tuesday, the victims' families announced plans for a new garden space outside the Southport Town Hall inspired by their children's "shared love of dance, music and the arts"

Families of Southport stabbing victims to lead £10m town centre regeneration project in memory of young girls

Police have released footage of

Jury shown chilling footage of alleged Hainault attacker unboxing samurai sword used in killing of teen

Lynn King and her husband John  died after driving off a cliff at Alum Bay, close to the Island's famous landmark the Needles, on Friday

Tributes paid to couple killed after car plunges 300ft off cliff on Isle of Wight