UK to freeze in 'Arctic wind' blast as Met Office shares snow verdict

Arctic winds are set to cause temperatures across the UK to plummet in the coming days. Parts of Scotland have already hit lows of -2.6C this week as the winter weather creeps in.

As much as 18 inches of snow could fall in places across the UK, some forecasters have said. Meteorologists at WX Charts, which provided alarming weather maps to illustrate the forecast, anticipate such wintry weather for around Saturday November 23.

The Met Office says there is a "possibility of snow" as early as this Sunday as high pressure gradually subsides this week and allows wind to start to come in from the north or northwest, The Mirror reports.

POLL: Will you be visiting the German Market this year?

Mark Sidaway, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said: "The high pressure that has been responsible for the mainly dry weather through much of this week will retrogress into the Atlantic as we get towards the weekend. This will gradually introduce more unsettled weather, initially in the north from Friday but more widely from Sunday.

"In addition to this increased rainfall, which could be heavy at times on Sunday, temperatures will also drop, especially for those in Scotland, as a northerly airflow develops, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas.

"This shift does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard. There is a lot of uncertainty by Sunday, but there remain a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds.

"Warnings for winter hazards are possible later in the weekend, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast."

Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency

Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

You can see why in more detail here.

Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here.

What you can do to help.