DORSET is facing up to five days of “severe” cold weather with an “enhanced snow risk” from Sunday, a Bournemouth forecaster has said.
By the weekend, it will feel bitterly cold with temperatures set to plunge between 1C and 3C.
DorsetSnow said while the cold snap was not comparable to the Beast from the East, we are likely to enter a “pretty major” cold spell.
Speaking to the Echo, DorsetSnow said: “It’s been apparent for a while now, that with the background set ups, a cold spell has been looming. There have been multiple warmings of the stratosphere and polar air has made strong inroads into northern Europe. If we want to advect that cold air, then we need northern blocking in place, something that we’ve had plenty of in winter 20/21.
“High pressure is once again set to build to the north of the UK later this week, and by the weekend we are likely to introduce cold, easterly winds. I’m not going to call this a beast from the east, as I don’t think it’s comparable to those intense spells of cold weather. It is however, a pretty major cold snap/spell that we are likely about to enter. We aren’t quite there yet, but models seem to backing each other and it is the most likely outcome.
He added: “There are still big question marks over the intensity and length of the cold spell, but currently I’d say 4/5 days of severe cold looks likely. We will be looking at highs of just 1-3c generally and an enhanced snow risk from Sunday. If snow does settle, then daytime highs may struggle to get above freezing.”
The Met Office said next week will stay chilly for much of the UK with brisk easterly winds making it feel even colder.
Looking ahead, DorsetSnow said that there could be more cold weather on the cards across the northern hemisphere in the next couple of weeks following another “winds reversal” in the stratosphere over the last few days, which would add to the disruption of the polar vortex.
At the end of January, areas in north and East Dorset saw snow while residents living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole missed out.
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