NOW BRITAIN IS FACING A BATTERING FROM 80MPH STORM CAROLINE
HEALTH warnings were sent out last night as Arctic conditions and a storm named Caroline were set to blast Britain.
Temperatures could drop to minus 7C (19.4F) from tomorrow, with a windchill making it feel even colder in parts of the country.
Gales of up to 80mph also threaten to disrupt transport networks and power supples.
Heavy snow will blanket Scotland and the North of England, with the South at risk of hail and sleet.
The Met Office with Public Health England yesterday issued the second cold weather health warning of the season.
The “alert and readiness” caution states: “Cold Arctic air is expected to spread south across all parts of England through Thursday.
“A brisk northerly wind will give a significant windchill.”
The extreme cold may put the elderly and those with health problems at increased risk over the weekend. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams, said: “Cold raises blood pressure which increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
“Exposure to the cold can have a really serious impact on older people who find it harder to adjust to big changes in temperature.
“We would urge everyone to keep a friendly eye on older relatives, friends and neighbours.”
The Met Office named the third storm of the season Caroline and said it will bring a spell of “very windy weather” to northern Scotland tomorrow.
It said: “Gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected quite widely, with gusts up to 80mph possible near northfacing mainland coasts and across the isles.
“Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
Blizzard
“Some short-term loss of power to other services is possible.
“It is likely that some coastal routes, seafronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and large waves.” Up to eight inches of snow could fall in parts of Scotland and western England from Friday until Saturday evening, with the strong winds creating blizzard conditions.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: “By Friday the whole country will be in an Arctic maritime airmass and windchill will be a big factor making it feel like it’s not getting above freezing anywhere.”
Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, added: “With winter upon us the risks that cold weather bring for our older citizens should not be underestimated. We would urge people to check on family and neighbours during the cold weather.”
John Hammond, from online forecasters weathertrending, said the freezing air threatens to keep the nation on ice into next week.
He said: “We are now keeping a close eye on the potential for further disruptive snowfall ahead of Christmas. Such cold spells are by no means unusual in December but are a stark contrast to this time last year, when warm weather brought spring daffodils into bloom.”