BRITAIN is set to be battered by a “little ice age” and temperatures will plunge to -11C NEXT WEEK.
The rest of the week will be more mild weather before the weather turns far chillier with spells of snow.
The white stuff is expected to hit from November 24, with the sub-zero temperatures starting on November 23.
Freezing Arctic winds will take a grip on the country, with the mercury possibly dropping as low as -7C to -11C with the coldest conditions hitting Scotland.
Read our UK weather live blog below for the latest info & updates...
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk 12 minutes ago
Beating the winter blues
Winter, the season of frigid temperatures and ice-encrusted everything is now upon us.
It is natural feel a bit gloomy as the nights draw in and the ground freezes solid.
But here are five habits for fending off winter blues – the science-backed way:
Practice positive thinking Avoid isolation – improve the balance of those happiness chemicals in the brain. Eat right – committing to a healthy eating pattern will make a difference Get real sunshine – even if it is chilling on your balcony or walking the dog Break a sweat – Exercise causes the release of feel-good endorphins in the brain
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk 27 minutes ago
Fighting that cold
Brits have revealed their top secrets for battling winter illnesses during the cold weather – with almost half pledging to take better care of themselves.
More than half of UK adults believe their immune system has been weakened by months of isolation because of the pandemic.
Many believe that wiping down door handles, getting more sleep and eating a lot of spicy foods can keep the cold weather sniffles at bay.
Other methods being plumped by Brits include staying in well-ventilated areas, eating immune-boosting foods like oranges and spinach as well as drinking plenty of water.
The study also found that 88 per cent of people think that preventing catching a winter illness is important.
Of the 2,000 adults, 65 per cent said that the average cold will wipe them out for several days – and provoke at least three complaints per day.
There are plenty of other ways to stay healthy this winter.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk 42 minutes ago
Beast from the East
Tyler Ros, AccuWeather meteorologist said: “The threat for snow between November 17-22 looks to be around normal for the time of the year.
“Which is any accumulating snow is likely to occur in the higher elevations of northern England and Scotland.”
He added: “We do have to watch a cold snap that appears to move into Eastern Europe early next week.
“If this bleeds westward towards the UK, with the core of the cold remaining in Eastern Europe), then the temperatures will be near to slightly below normal during this stretch.”
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk 57 minutes ago
Wrap your home up tight
Insulating your home properly could also save you hundreds of pounds per year.
Hundreds of thousands of people overpay by ￡246 on heating bills due to poor insulation, but fixing that can reduce costs.
For example, buying a draught excluder for as little as ￡3 could save you ￡200 on bills in the long run.
You can also get free cash to insulate your home - here's how one savvy saver did it.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 11:15
Turn it off!
Wanting to make a big dent on your energy bills? It might be an idea to look at more energy-guzzling appliances to save on running costs.
One of the easiest ways to cut costs is to make sure your appliances are switched off properly.
Leaving your Xbox and Playstation on standby could be costing you ￡16.24 a year - the same cost as leaving your telly on standby too.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 11:00
How much does it cost to blow dry your hair?
Drying your hair doesn't cost much that much, according to Uswitch.
It will cost you up to roughly ￡10 a year to use it - but exact costs vary depending on how powerful your hair dryer is.
Drying your hair on the highest power setting will take eight minutes to dry your hair and use up 1.8 kilowatts (kW) of power.
This will cost you nearly 5p - or ￡0.045 to be precise.
If you wash and dry your hair four times a week, this will rack up to ￡9.44 a year.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 10:45
Does my boss have to pay my heating bills?
If staff have been told to work from home because of severe weather conditions, however, employers are not bound by law to reimburse workers for costs such as heating, lighting and broadband.
However, you may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home on a regular basis.
You can either claim tax relief on ￡6 a week from April 6, 2020, or the exact amount of the extra costs you’ve incurred above the weekly amount – but you’ll need evidence such as a receipt, bills or contracts.
Meanwhile, if bad weather stops you from getting to work, it is largely down to your contract of employment whether you will get paid.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 10:30
What rain?
TYSON FURY has been taking no days off since beating Deontay Wilder after embarking on a jog along drizzly Morecambe beach.
The Gypsy King was accompanied by dad John, brother Tommy and pal Joseph Parker as he clocked up the miles on an early morning run.
Fury looked to be in top spirits as he embraced the unsettled weather in an Instagram story, saying: “Monday morning workout! What are you saying, dad?
“Good to be alive! How happy do you feel to be out of a box?”
To which dad John replied: “A lot of people in a box, but I’ve worked hard to keep myself out the box!”
Fury then finished the video by saying: “Good, that’s what we like to hear, positivity. Tommy what you saying, Monday morning blues for you? Joe, what you saying?”
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 10:15
Tremor terror
Scotland was woken by shaking homes last night as a terrifying 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit the country.
Startled residents reported the disturbance on social media shortly before 2am on Tuesday.
The earthquake's epicentre was about 11 miles north west of Lochgilphead in Argyll and Bute, and 88 miles north west of Glasgow, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Nearby residents said their homes shook during the tremor.
One said: "Nothing like an earthquake to jolt you up. That's the biggest one I've felt. Whole house shook."
They added: "I'm in Tarbert Argyll. I've never felt one that big, everything in my room shook."
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 10:00
'Little Ice Age' (continued)
There is a chance that as far south as Brighton could have sub-zero temperatures by November 27, with risks of snow and ice across the country.
Oliver Claydon, Met Office, told the Express : “Long-lead models are showing there is a chance for things to turn a bit colder in the middle of next week.
“Uncertainty is hinged around an area of high pressure, if it’s further to the west then it could pull a chance of snow from the north."
Temperatures are also likely to continue to plummet, with snow also continuing to batter the country after next week.
James Madden, forecaster for Exact Weather, added : “The cold is likely to win out before the end of November bringing an early taste of winter and the risk of snow.
“Waning solar activity means chances are high for a 'little ice age' winter this year with notable periods of cold and snow.
“We have high confidence for the most cold and wintry conditions since December 2010 developing towards the end of the year."
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 09:45
'Little ice age'
Britain is set to be battered by a “little ice age” and temperatures will plunge to -11C NEXT WEEK.
The rest of the week will be more mild weather before the weather turns far chillier with spells of snow.
The white stuff is expected to hit from November 24, with the sub-zero temperatures starting on November 23.
Freezing Arctic winds will take a grip on the country, with the mercury possibly dropping as low as -7C to -11C with the coldest conditions hitting Scotland.
WXCharts is predicting snowfall to hit Scotland from Sunday, and will start moving over the coming days to hit Northern England and North wales by the end of the month.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 09:30
How much do oil radiators cost to run?
Oil radiators use an electrical element to heat up thermal oil inside.
Of course, heating up the element requires energy and that affects your bills.
According to Utilita, a standard 2,000 watt oil filled radiator uses around 2 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy for every hour it’s in use.
The equation you use to convert that energy usage into cost is the power (kilowatt) x cost of one kWh (pence) x length of time.
Currently the cost of one kWh is just over 21p.
That means the oil radiator costs 42p an hour to run.
If you had the radiator running for six hours that would be ￡2.52.
And if you did that every day, that’s ￡17.64 a week and a whopping ￡917.28 a year.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 09:15
Our top 10 gadgets to help you say money on your energy bills?
Many households are struggling with rising energy costs at the moment.
Energy regulator Ofgem increased the Energy Price Cap to ￡1,277 in October, adding ￡139 to the average household bill.
A string of energy provider collapses has also not helped the situation.
If you are worried about your energy bills then making use of alternatives such as these is one way to keep costs down.
We've also looked at 10 energy efficient gadgets that could shave a few pennies off your bill.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 09:00
Is it more expensive to run an electric heater?
According to Uswitch, a plug-in electric heater uses around 3 kilowatt hours of energy (kWh).
The average cost of electricity, according to energy regulator Ofgem, is now 18.9p per kWh.
So, to get the hourly cost of running an electric heater, we multiply 18.9p by 3, because that's the number of kWh it uses.
That puts the running cost at 56.7p per hour.
If you leave it on for an evening while you're watching TV for, say, four hours, it will cost you ￡2.26.
And if you do that every day for a week, that's ￡15.82.
That adds up to a hefty ￡70 a month.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 08:45
2/1 on dreaming of a White Chritmas
With Christmas Day being just around the corner, the bookies make it just a 2/1 shot that we see the white stuff on December 25th.
Edinburgh is the most likely destination at 3/1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Plenty of punters will be dreaming of a White Christmas this year, and the odds suggest they could well get their wish, with 2/1 being on offer for any part of the UK to wake up to snow on December 25th.”
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 08:30
How to stay safe on the roads (continued)
Check your oil – We Brits are bad at checking our oil. Hardly any of us perform this essential maintenance task once a month, which is how often the experts recommend.
Check your battery – Winter is hard on your battery and the electrical system. On a cold day, the engine in a car takes more effort to “turn over”, which puts extra strain on the battery and the starter motor.
Keep winter kit in your car – Breaking down in summer is annoying. Breaking down in winter can be dangerous. When temperatures drop, a simple mechanical failure can put the occupants of a vehicle at serious risk if they can’t be rescued quickly.
Check your wiper blades – You could get fined ￡100 for having defective windscreen wipers – something guaranteed to make a rainy day worse.
Consider buying winter tyres – In some parts of Europe, winter tyres are a mandatory part of driving, either on specific roads prone to ice and snow, or as a seasonal regulation.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 08:30
How to stay safe on the roads
WINTER can be a dangerous time on British roads, with slippery conditions and dangerous weather making every car journey a bit more risky.
But by preparing your car for the colder months, you can help protect yourself and your passengers from some of the hazards.
Check your tyres – Your tyres are, arguably, the most important safety device on your car.
Top up your screen wash – Screen wash is a crucial but often overlooked element of car maintenance. And in winter it’s particularly important, as the roads are gritty and covered with mud, which can spray up onto your windscreen and impede your view.
Clean your windows – While you’re at it, take this opportunity to ensure your windows are clean. You probably haven’t paid much attention to the windscreen, side windows and rear window of your car, and there’ll be a year’s worth of pollen, dust and autumn grime building up on the glass.
caroline.mortimer@thesun.co.uk Today, 08:15
How can I walk my dog in the snow?
Aside from the obvious dangers of slipping and falling, snow presents a number of other risks.
Snow can often be treated with chemicals, which can be dangerous for your pup’s paws.
Slush and ice in particular is sometimes treated with antifreeze which is dangerous for dogs – so steer clear if you spot that.
In addition, salt grit contains chemicals which can result in burns on pets’ paws if they have prolonged contact with the grit.
Try to avoid walking on gritted surfaces with your pooch and rinse their feet when you get home.
Ice balls are also a danger – particularly for dogs with hairy feet.
They can form between your dog’s toes and pads of their paws and cause pain.
Checking their feet when you finish your walk can help this issue.
Milica Cosic Today, 08:00
'Coldest November that we have ever had'
The bitter chill has the potential to bring up to six inches of snow in just 24 hours - and bookies have slashed the odds on this being the coldest November ever.
Coral's Harry Aitkenhead said: "We have significantly cut the odds on this month going into the record books as the coldest November that we have ever had, as temperatures begin to plummet and snow looms large on the horizon."
Milica Cosic Today, 07:30
Things to take a wintry turn by Wednesday
While this week will start on the warmer side with temperatures in the mid-teens, things will take a wintry turn by Wednesday.
Snow is expected to hit Scotland first, before making its way further south.
Weather maps show the white stuff could well land in north-western Scotland on November 17.
But snow could also fall in northern England, parts of Wales and East Anglia towards the end of the month.
Milica Cosic Today, 07:00
Snow, snow, SNOW
AccuWeather forecaster Tyler Ros told The Express: "The threat for snow between November 17 and 22 looks to be around normal for the time of the year, which is any accumulating snow is likely to occur in the higher elevations of northern England and Scotland.
"We do have to watch a cold snap that appears to move into Eastern Europe early next week.
"If this bleeds westward towards the UK, with the core of the cold remaining in Eastern Europe), then the temperatures will be near to slightly below normal during this stretch.
"This then would fire up some North Sea Sea Effect showers coming in from the east.
"If the hills are cold enough in northern England and in Scotland, these showers are more likely to be wintry."
Milica Cosic Today, 06:30
Warning of snow and ice risk from end of Nov
Until November 27 there is a chance of wintry showers, with a high chance of frost, fog and brisk gusts in northern areas.
Then from November 27 there is risk of snow and ice, with spells of rain and high winds.
The bitter chill has the potential to bring up to six inches of snow in just 24 hours – and bookies have slashed the odds on this being the coldest November ever.
Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said: “We have significantly cut the odds on this month going into the record books as the coldest November that we have ever had, as temperatures begin to plummet and snow looms large on the horizon.”
Milica Cosic Today, 06:00
Weather outlook for rest of the week
A wet start on Wednesday for Western parts of Scotland.
Rain will move into the Northern half of England. Dry elsewhere and a bright day for the South East of England.
Overnight rainfall for the North of the UK and Northern Ireland.
Rain continues into Thursday, dry for the South with sunny spells.
Milica Cosic Today, 05:30
Snow chance?
With Christmas Day being just around the corner, the bookies make it just a 2/1 shot that we see the white stuff on December 25th.
Edinburgh is the most likely destination at 3/1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Plenty of punters will be dreaming of a White Christmas this year, and the odds suggest they could well get their wish, with 2/1 being on offer for any part of the UK to wake up to snow on December 25th.”
Milica Cosic Today, 05:00
Odds for UK's coldest November EVER
According to Ladbrokes, this month could play host to the coldest November on record.
Having been a 2/1 shot earlier this week, the bookies have since cut odds to just 7/4 on this going down as the coldest November EVER, with temperatures set to plummet throughout the UK.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “With temperatures soon set to plummet and all corners of the UK preparing for early snow, the odds suggest this could well go down as the coldest November on record.
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