Snow Will Blanket the United Kingdom as a -3C Freeze Prompts Emergency Measures

Snow is expected in the next 48 hours, following cold overnight weather that prompted local authorities to activate emergency measures.

Yesterday, Mayor Sadiq Khan was one of several regional leaders in the south of England to activate the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), a measure that provides immediate assistance to rough sleepers during adverse weather conditions.

Those who are eligible and agree to receive assistance have been given places to stay to avoid sleeping outside in the cold, as per Mirror.

Snow to sweep in the UK

(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Temperatures dropped as low as -4C in some parts of the country early Tuesday morning, with the cold snap primarily affecting the south of England and the Midlands.

While no official weather warnings have been issued as of yet, the Met Office forecasters believe frosty conditions and possible fog will have an impact on morning rush hour.

They could make for some difficult driving conditions in central and southern areas during rush hour Tuesday mornings.

After avoiding most of the wintry weather this week, new WXCharts maps show a large front bringing heavy snow to Scotland and Northern Ireland tomorrow.

On Wednesday, up to 3cm of snow could fall per hour over higher ground, with more expected on Thursday.

With bright spells, a patchy freezing fog slowly lifts across England and Wales.

Cloudy and windy elsewhere, with severe gales and heavy rain in the far northwest for a time.

Showers in the far north, but otherwise dry and sunny on Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be cloudier, with patchy rain in the northwest. Cold in the south at first, then mild.

Also Read: U.K. Braces for Polar Vortex, Extreme Cold Weather, Freezing Temperatures This February

Verdict Amid 'Pillar Of Snow' And Beast From The East

The Met Office has maintained that the chances of a 'Beast from the East' are extremely low - as low as 15%.

However, it has clarified its forecast for the UK in its long-term forecast for March, as per Gloucestershire Live.

"Temperatures overall will be above normal, with a small but increasing chance of colder conditions as we move through the period," it said of the period from Tuesday, February 21 to Tuesday, March 7.

This follows maps from WXCHARTS showing a band of rain from the Atlantic but potentially falling as snow across a large part of the southeast of England.

On Tuesday, there will be plenty of sunshine in Gloucestershire, and temperatures will rise to around 6 degrees Celsius after a cold start. It will be sunny and dry.

Wednesday will also be sunny after a cold start, with clouds rolling in from the early evening and temperatures hovering around 7 degrees Celsius.

The rest of the week and into the weekend appear settled, with daytime highs of 10 degrees Celsius and lows of 2 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Any mist or fog patches will clear in the southwest. In these freezing temperatures, a widespread frost will form tonight.

A cold and frosty start to Wednesday will see patches of fog or freezing fog lift during the morning, leaving mostly blue skies in the afternoon. The maximum temperature is 7 degrees Celsius.

The forecast for Thursday through Saturday is mostly dry and cloudy, with some sunshine.

Cloudier periods are expected, possibly with some rain, especially early Thursday.

Winds are mostly light, and temperatures are on the rise.

The weekend ahead is expected to be mostly dry and cloudy, with some rain in the far north and northwest.

Most of the rest of the period is expected to have settled conditions, with dry weather and sunny spells.

Overnight fog is possible in many parts of the country, particularly in the south.

Weather changes are more likely in the far north, with showers and longer periods of rain, as well as stronger winds in the northwest.

Overall, temperatures will be mild in the north, especially in the northwest, but near average elsewhere, with a low chance of colder weather and frost in the south.

Related article: UK Weather Forecast: Chances of Rain, Colder Temperatures to Unfold Until Next Week