BOOKIES have cut the odds on Brits enduring the coldest winter ever as snow storms are expected to batter the nation around Christmas. Forecasters have said El Niño will trigger ice storms at the start of December, and freezing conditions may last until spring. 6 Freezing weather conditions brought from the 'Beast from the East' earlier this year Credit: Getty Images - Getty Bookmaker Coral makes it just 6-4 that we go on to have the coldest winter since records began. The firm also makes it odds on, at 1-4, that snow falls in the London before the end of November. Coral's Harry Aitkenhead said: "We might be enjoying some autumn sunshine now but all the signs are pointing towards a bleak winter with weeks of snow forecast for the Christmas months. "Our odds suggest there’s a real chance of this winter entering the record books as the coldest." 6 Brits walk across Millennium Bridge battling heavy snowfall Credit: Rex Features 6 The country is set to be battered with icy showers and gale-force winds from early December Credit: Alamy 6 Brits have been warned to expect a repeat of the snowy conditions seen earlier this year Credit: Alamy Live News The El Niño phenomenon is known to trigger extreme weather patterns across the world and in Britain, it is linked to colder than average winter weather. Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said: “The period between Christmas and New Year is likely to bring some major low-pressure systems sweeping in from the Atlantic. “These will clash with cold air pooled over the UK bringing crippling snowfall, although we must allow for some deviation as it is still some time away, we are earmarking the Christmas period as bringing some potentially hazardous weather conditions and widespread snow." If this occurs, rising temperatures in the Eastern Pacific could potentially reach the threshold for an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). 6 'The Beast from the East' brought freezing temperatures and days of snow in February 2018 in London Credit: Alamy Live News But Met Office forecasters believe conditions may not become that severe. Helen Roberts from the Met Office said: “Overall, the probability that the UK-average temperature for September-October-November will fall into the coldest of our five categories is around 5 per cent, and the probability that it will fall into the warmest of our five categories is around 40 per cent. “The chance of El Niño is about 70 per cent, with uncertain strength, as model predictions range from ENSO-neutral to a moderate strength El Niño. “Model predictions and expert opinion indicate that El Niño Southern Oscillation conditions are about 70 per cent likely to reach weak El Niño levels by the fourth quarter of 2018 and into the Northern Hemisphere winter 2018-19.” The predictions suggest that it will be another shockingly cold winter for the UK, with the nation remaining locked in by freezing conditions until at least the spring. 6 Brutal ice storms could blast the UK from December 2018 until at least March 2019 Credit: Alamy Live News The warnings echo of the most recent big freeze earlier this year, dubbed “The Beast from the East”. Winds from Siberia pushed in from the east, causing the mercury to plummet - with even daytime temperatures struggling to rise above zero. The brutal conditions battered the UK from mid-February until mid-March, with temperatures plummeting to -15C in some parts of the country, and around 4 inches of snowfall on higher ground. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.<doc-sep>Weather latest: UK set for GALE force winds and rain top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Temperatures in parts of the UK will plunge lower than Iceland as a swathe of freezing Arctic air engulfs the country. Scotland and northern England are likely to see a dusting of snow over the hills as the mercury plunges on Sunday. Frosts are forecast widely during the early hours of Monday prompting warnings to brace for a bitter start to the working week. Overnight temperatures will drop below freezing in rural spots while daytime highs are unlikely to rise much above 16C (60.8F) or 17C (62.6F), experts say. Bitter winds will make it feel close to -7C (19.4F) in exposed spots, colder than the Icelandic capital Reykjavik where temperatures are unlikely to sink below freezing. Britain is about to shiver in the coldest weekend since the Beast from the East snow blast crippled the nation in March. Long-range forecasters warn a nationwide Arctic whiteout could unleash copious amounts of snow across Britain as soon as mid-October. UK weather forecast: Britain faces the COLDEST weekend in six months this weekend UK weather: Temperatures will plunge lower than Iceland Exacta Weather’s James Madden said: “There is a risk for some first flurries of snow of the season at times over the next several days. “However, a more notable wintry blast or two during the second half of October should bring the first significant snow of the season across higher ground in the north, with the risk of an occasional flake or two even to some lower levels at times.” Colder weather later this month will clash with a surge in Atlantic cyclone activity fuelling crippling wintry storms, he warned. He said: “At least one or two major low-pressure systems will attempt to cause havoc on our weather patterns from mid-month onwards when we can expect some very stormy conditions to develop. “We expect at least one of these low pressure systems to arrive under a colder airmass to the north of the country during the final third of October, and it is within this period that we are likely to see the first significant snow of the season across higher ground in parts of Scotland and the north.” UK weather: Latest windchill chart A switch to a westerly airflow later next week will bring a return to warmer conditions especially across southern England where thermometers could nudge 70F. It will feel milder in Scotland and the north where the mercury is expected to lift back into double figures after the bitter weekend blast. Parts of Britain will see the first proper snowfall of the season over the next couple of days and the first since the spring freeze, according to the Met Office. Meteorologist Simon Partridge said thermometers will fall through the next couple of days with the lowest temperatures forecast for Sunday. He said: “A band of rain will move across the country on Sunday and behind this will be a cooler mass of Arctic air which will bring below-average temperatures for the time of year. “We are expecting a very chilly night with the risk of frost anywhere in the UK, it is possible people will be scraping their cars first thing on Monday morning. “This cold air will spread across the whole of the country, further north we are expecting a flurry of snow over the hills which will be the first since the spring cold snap. UK weather: Ground temps into the start of next week “There will be a risk of some strong winds along the northern coasts over the weekend.” A change in wind direction will push temperatures above normal for the start of October through the middle of next week, he added. He said: “It will turn milder but wetter from Tuesday and temperatures will go from below to above average for the time of year. “We return to a westerly flow by the middle of the week and this will see milder conditions return.” Temperatures will widely plunge to freezing on Sunday night with lows of -2C (28.4F) or -3C (26.6F) forecast across exposed rural regions. WeatherOnline forecaster Garry Nicholson said the next few days will bring cooler and windier conditions before the weather turns milder. He said: “High pressure will influence southern Britain and Ireland for much of the week ahead, but frontal systems will come in from the west to bring cloud, rain and brisk winds at times to the north and north-west. Long-range experts predict extreme cold weather “A cool northwesterly flow early in the week, but milder southwesterlies should return through midweek.” Online weather forecasters Metcheck agreed the next few days will be much colder compared to the start of autumn. High pressure nestled close to the UK will allow chilly northerly winds to flow into the country sending thermometers plunging, they warned. A spokesman said: “The overarching pattern of the weather next week is high pressure sitting just to the West of the UK. “This allows a more Northwesterly airflow to become established bringing some cooler days but certainly chillier nights than many have seen of late. “There will be a northwest flow around the high pressure with low pressure near Iceland. “In scenarios like this it tends to be the low pressure areas which win out and sure enough by Tuesday the low pressure wins and Northwest winds prevail.” BBC Weather: UK to brace for ‘close to freezing’ temperatures The chilly forecast comes as climate experts predict an El Nino warming of the Pacific later this year could bring another brutally cold winter. Some long-range experts predict extreme cold weather to set in later next month heralding the start of a savage big freeze.<doc-sep>Get the latest North East news and updates delivered straight to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Weather watchers will have heard rumours of a four-month freeze set to grip Britain at the end of the year - but is that really going to happen? A number of forecasters have been warning of severe weather heading our way this winter. Brutal ice storms could blast the UK from December as extreme weather rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, Exacta Weather claimed this week. They said the intense cold snap could last all the way to February next year, making it similar to the big freeze of 2010, which saw the coldest December since records began in 1910. (Image: PA) Forecaster James Madden said: “Long-range predictions have shown for a time that this winter could deliver some particularly cold and snowy conditions. “We are expecting a number of widespread snow events to occur during early December and then again around mid-month. “This could bring some potentially crippling snowfall as these fronts will clash with cold air pooled over the UK.” Meanwhile, another long-range weather forecast showed that the chilly assault could start as early as the beginning of November. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) It’s thought rising temperatures in the Eastern Pacific could soon reach threshold values for an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to become established, which would trigger extreme weather patterns across the world. But will Britain really see four months of snow? Helen Roberts, from the Met Office, said: “Overall, the probability that the UK-average temperature for September-October-November will fall into the coldest of our five categories is around 5%, and the probability that it will fall into the warmest of our five categories is around 40%. “We can also expect below-average precipitation in the period up to December, predicted by the UK’s official forecasters as falling into the driest of our five categories, with 20% likelihood - and slightly less likely to be wetter than average. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) “Forecasts show it more likely than not that there will be a weak-ish El Nino by the end of the year, though there are currently no signs of ocean warming. “But it’s one to keep an eye on.”<doc-sep>BBC Weather: UK set for a ten degree drop as cold air arrives top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Bone-numbing -7C (19.4F) gales will scour the far north coasts amid forecasts the entire country is about to get an early taste of winter. A frigid finger of icy air driven by bitter northerly winds will prod Scotland and northern England pushing the mercury below zero. Southern regions which have basked in near 25C (77F) warmth this week will also feel the chill with frosts possible anywhere in the country. A change in wind direction dragging air in from the Arctic region as high pressure wedges over Britain has been blamed for the cold snap. Temperatures will plunge on Friday after a relatively balmy week saw parts of the UK rival the Mediterranean. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: “It is going to turn colder towards the weekend with a northerly flow of Arctic air bringing temperatures down compared to earlier in the week. “Friday will feel colder and we could see some patchy frosts first thing, daytime temperatures will reach the mid-teens at best and it will feel colder in the north. “Overnight into Saturday we could see more widespread frosts with temperatures widely dropping, anywhere in the country could see a frost. “It will stay cooler into Sunday and after some morning fog there is the likelihood of sunny spells with daytime temperatures around the mid-teens again.” Coastal regions will turn windy with winds likely to reach gale-force across northern parts of the country, she warned. She added: “There will be blustery showers around on Saturday and along northern coasts there will be the risk of gales. “Across the southern half of the country there is more of a chance of seeing some sunshine, the risk of frosts will continue into the start of next week. “There may be some sleet or wet snow over high ground in the north on Sunday night.” UK weather forecast: -7C gales will hit the north coasts this weekend UK weather forecast: Temperatures are falling tomorrow and over the weekend Cold weather forecast: Bitter winds will make it feel cold Weather: UK prepare for CHILLY night as warmth 'disappears' Weather charts show a wave of freezing air spilling into Britain from the North Pole through the coming days. Temperatures are forecast to hit -2C (28.4F) in Scotland and parts of northern England while the south sinks to low single figures. Snow models show a 90-per cent risk of wintry showers across high ground in the north by the end of the weekend. Piers Corbyn, forecaster for WeatherAction, warned parts of Britain are about to turn ‘very cold’ with gales threatening to whip up blizzards over very high ground. He said: “It is going to turn colder, wetter and windier over the next few days and there will be risk of snow over high ground in the north of the country although we cannot rule out something across lower ground. “Winds will pick up building to gales which could be damaging in nature at sea and along the northern coasts. “These winds could also bring blizzard conditions to very high ground at times. UK weather: Snow risk over Scotland on Sunday “In contrast it will be drier and milder across southern parts of the country into the start of next month.” Bookies have been quick to latch onto the freezing outlooks slashing the odds on snowfall this weekend. Ladbrokes is offering 8-1 on a flurry anywhere in the country while Coral has set 1-2 on wintry showers next month. Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: “Hats and gloves can stay packed away for a few weeks south of the border, but the same can't be said up in Scotland, where we're not yet ruling out a flake or two this weekend.” Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead added: “Temperatures are set to tumble and everything looks to be leading up to a big freeze this winter. “It seems almost certain that at some point in October the colder temperatures will arrive and they look set to bring snow with them.” Cold weather 2018: UK temperature on Monday morning Bitter winds will make it feel much colder than ground temperature forecasts suggest with feel-like values of -7C (19.4F) predicted for the weekend. People living in norther Britain are warned to wrap up for a windchill of between freezing and -7C (19.4F) while it will widely feel close to freezing in the south in gusty conditions. WeatherOnline forecaster Simon Keeling said: “Fronts passing south through the UK and Ireland on Sunday will be turning to wind into a colder northwesterly direction.<doc-sep>
The UK could see weeks of snow over the Christmas period as bookmakers say the country could be facing the coldest winter on record. Some forecasts are suggesting Britain could be set for more snow than ever before over the coming months. And Coral bookmakers have slashed the odds at 6-4 for this winter to be the coldest on record. Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said: "We might be enjoying some autumn sunshine now but all the signs are pointing towards a bleak winter with weeks of snow forecast for the Christmas months. "Our odds suggest there’s a real chance of this winter entering the record books as the coldest." The cold weather could arrive as early as next month, forecasters say. (Image: iStockphoto) (Image: PA) Mr Aitkenhead added: “Temperatures are set to tumble and everything looks to be leading up to a big freeze this winter. "It seems almost certain that at some point in October the colder temperatures will arrive and they look set to bring snow with them. "This spring and summer saw a host of records broken for warm weather but the glory days are slipping away and there’s every chance of some coldest records being broken this winter, potentially starting with the coldest October on record." The winter weather is fast approaching and it could turn frosty as soon as this weekend, the Met Office forecasts, with temperatures falling "close to or a little below normal". (Image: PA) Snow may even be a possibility from mid-October. A long-range forecast from the Met Office said: "There is a greater chance of spells of wet and windy weather from mid-October onwards, with the rain possibly turning to snow at times over the highest ground in the north." Brutal ice storms could blast the UK from December as extreme weather rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, Exacta Weather claimed this week. The forecaster even claimed icy conditions and snow could last all the way till February, rivalling the big freeze of 2010 which saw the coldest December since records began in 1910. Forecaster James Madden said: “Long-range predictions have shown for a time that this winter could deliver some particularly cold and snowy conditions. “We are expecting a number of widespread snow events to occur during early December and then again around mid-month. "This could bring some potentially crippling snowfall as these fronts will clash with cold air pooled over the UK." (Image: Moment RF) The prediction is based on speculation rising temperatures in the Eastern Pacific could soon reach threshold values for an El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to set off arctic conditions in the UK by changing air patterns and sending chilly blasts this way. But the Met Office cast doubt on this idea. Helen Roberts from the Met Office said: “Overall, the probability that the UK-average temperature for September-October-November will fall into the coldest of our five categories is around 5 per cent, and the probability that it will fall into the warmest of our five categories is around 40 per cent. “We can also expect below-average precipitation in the period up to December, predicted by the UK’s official forecasters as falling into the driest of our five categories, with 20 per cent likelihood - and slightly less likely to be wetter than average. “Forecasts show it more likely than not that there will be a 'weak-ish' El Nino by the end of the year, though there are currently no signs of ocean warming. "But it’s one to keep an eye on.”