UK set for one of the coldest Decembers ever with temperatures as low as -10C

Britain is set to be plunged into freezing temperatures as cold as -10C.

The Met Office has predicted colder than average temperatures for most of December this year. Recent Decembers have been pretty mild, and the average temperature in the UK is 3.8C.

Weather warnings for heavy rain leading to localised flooding in parts of Scotland for Monday and Tuesday have been issued.

Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Company’s Weather Channel arm, said: “Arctic incursions mean December could well be the coldest for a number of years.”

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “Winter hazards are dominating the weather as the emphasis changes from snow to frost and ice. The UK will stay in cold air north of the jet stream.”

A Met Office forecaster said: “December 10-19th has temperatures likely to begin below-average trend to average then could turn colder again.

“December 20th to January 3rd has temperatures likely at or below-average, though some milder interludes are possible. Hill snow is possible, and showers could perhaps be wintry at lower levels.”

Currently, there are flood warnings in place for England including the North West. This week the temperature is set to drop to as low as 3C with patchy rain and blustery wind for much of the week.