Polar vortex set to make UK temperatures plummet to freezing -10c
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If you needed any more reason to stay indoors today, then here you go.
Temperatures across the UK are set to plummet over the coming days, with the polar vortex pushing cold air our way.
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Meteorologists are predicting some parts of the country could see the mercury fall to as low as -10C in the far reaches of Scotland, while the rest of the country will experience a significant cold snap.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a level 2 weather warning, urging people to take care when out and about.
The warning, which is in place until tomorrow (7 February) evening, says: "There is a 60 percent probability of severe cold weather between 18:00 on Sunday (February 5) and 18:00 on Tuesday in parts of England.
"This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services."
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, said it was vital that people were properly heating their homes.
Sousa said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, with older people and those with heart or lung conditions particularly at risk.
"It’s important to check in on family, friends and relatives who are more vulnerable to the cold weather.
"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18°C if you can."
David Oliver, a Deputy Chief forecaster at the Met Office, added: "From Sunday and into early next week an area of high pressure will dominate the UK’s weather.
"This will bring some cold nights with a widespread frost across the country.
"However, by day temperatures will recover to around mid-single figures, near normal for the time of year."
The cold weather is only meant to last a few days, though, with temperatures eventually returning to the norm for this time of year.
The National Meteorological Service said: "Colder air from continental Europe is expected to cross the country.
"This high-pressure system will act to block wet and windy weather from the Atlantic. There will be some frosty nights and colder days, with daytime temperatures in mid or low single figures."
However, not everyone is so confident.
Speaking to the Mirror, British Weather Services' Jim Dale said we could be in for a long haul.
He said: "It's a watching brief to see how it all might unfold but don't think, because it's not long until Spring and the sun is maybe out a little more, that the chance of another blast like we have seen so far are decreasing. They're not."
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