Britain braces for bitter cold and potential heavy snowfall amid La Nina effects

New weather maps show a dramatic plunge in temperatures this month as the UK is set to become the coldest country in Europe

The UK is set to experience some of the coldest temperatures in Europe this month. New weather maps are turning a frosty blue and predicting a plunge down to -10C.

According to new weather maps from WX Charts, there's a sharp drop on the cards as the UK heads into sub-zero territory, while other parts of Europe enjoy warmer weather. Between October 3 and 11, the east of England will be relatively warmer, yet still facing nippy conditions ranging from two degrees to freezing point.

Meanwhile, forecasters are warning Brits of a "huge wall of snow" that could sweep across the nation in the coming weeks. Weather expert Jim Dale, senior meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services, has described the expected snowfall as "one to watch" in light of these striking predictions.

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In the next few days, northern England and Scotland are bracing for extremely cold weather, with temperatures expected to fall below zero. Some regions may experience harsh icy gusts hitting minus six degrees, as shown on WX Charts maps.

The west of England, Wales, and Ireland are also anticipating severe chill, with the map's purple hues indicating a potential drop to a bone-chilling -10C, reports the Mirror.

Weather boffins are attributing the La Nina effect - when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean fall below average, setting off a cascade of global weather changes - to potentially bring colder, wetter, and stormier conditions throughout autumn and winter in the UK. Notably, this means a higher likelihood of frosty mornings and snowfall, particularly up north.

The UN's World Meteorological Organization has forecasted a 60% chance of La Nina kicking in between October and February next year. Atmospheric G2's Andrew Pedrini provided insight on the upcoming winter: "A weak/moderate La Nina event is forecast for the winter, which generally implies colder than normal temperatures across West Europe, so we do expect some colder spells heading towards November and December."

Maxar's wind expert Matthew Dross also chimed in, stating that reduced wind speeds might be on the horizon due to La Nina, which could hit Europe's wind power production. Although some experts aren't convinced about La Nina's immediate influence over the UK's climate, its wider effects could ripple through to economic impacts.

Professor Richard Allan, from the University of Reading, has indicated that while the UK's weather might not be significantly impacted by La Nina, the economic repercussions will be felt. He explained: "UK weather will be minimally affected by La Nina but we will mostly feel the economic effects of remote floods, droughts and heatwaves as wind patterns are shifted out of kilter, while the severity of these extremes are intensified by ongoing human caused climate change."

He also noted the broader climatic impacts, saying, "During La Nina there is a tendency for wetter conditions over many regions of tropical South America, South Asia and the southern Africa summer with hot and dry tendencies common for parts of east Asia during summer although each La Nina event can bring surprises."

Below is the forecast for the West Midlands:

Today:

Chilly at first, with early mist and fog lifting to leave a dry and rather settled day. Plenty of warm sunshine through the morning, but turning cloudier through the afternoon, and breezier by the evening in the north and west. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Saturday:

Some sunny spells in the morning, before a sheet of cloud arrives from the west later. Feeling warm in any sunshine, but turning more widely breezy through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Rather humid on Sunday as a band of rain, at times heavy, spreads eastwards through the day, before turning to a mixture of sunshine and showers for Monday and Tuesday.