Temperatures set to plunge

Temperatures set to plunge

Following a relatively mild winter, a blast of easterly winds will drag freezing air from the continent across all of the British Isles.

By Sunday, the mercury is expected to rise to just 3°C, and a force-seven easterly will give a wind-chill factor – how it actually feels – of minus 4°C.

And it is likely to get even colder at the start of next week, with temperatures on Monday due to climb to just 2°C.

Night-time temperatures will fall to minus 2°C or minus 3°C on Sunday and Monday, with a wind-chill factor of minus 10°C or minus 11°C.

Jersey Met forecaster Philip Johnson said: ‘We are going to see a drop in temperatures tomorrow and Friday but they will really drop away from Saturday as we see an easterly wind develop.

‘At the moment it looks like this weather pattern will persist at least throughout all of next week.’

Some light snow showers are also possible on Monday or Tuesday, although these are more likely over Guernsey and Alderney, which are less sheltered by France.

Some computer models have also forecast the possibility of more substantial snowfall over the Channel Islands area next week, but the latest indications are that it will now fall further south over France. This might, however, be subject to change.

The UK Met Office, which issues 30-day forecasts, says the cold weather could last until the middle of next month.

For the period of 6 to 20 March, it states: ‘At the start of this period it is likely to remain cold or very cold for many, with widespread frost and brisk easterly winds from Continental Europe, making it feel raw.

‘This will continue to bring the risk of significant snow across some southern, eastern and central parts of the country, whereas towards the north and west it will start drier.

‘As we head through the middle of March, there is a lot of uncertainty in the forecast, but it may start to turn more unsettled and less cold with the wettest and mildest weather spreading in from the south-west.’

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