Scotland facing deep freeze this week as temperatures set to plunge below zero

People in certain Scots areas are being braced for a blast of icy cold weather this week that will see temperatures plunge below freezing before warming up again into the weekend.

Weather expert Jim Dale has noted that the current weather conditions in the UK are down to a 'transition zone' which is making things feel unpredictable.

He has warned of potential icy conditions to hit this week, with temperatures feeling colder than they should at this time of year - and weather maps show that northern Scotland will be hit the hardest by the chilly blast on Wednesday April 17.

Data from WXCharts show temperatures in the north of the country beginning to fall during the early hours of Wednesday April 17, reaching as low as -2C near Aviemore and Fort William. Central and southern Scotland will also be facing temperatures of around zero degrees by 6am.

Things will begin to heat up as the day continues, with highs of around 9C expected near Glasgow. However, temperatures are predicted to plunge again that night and into Thursday, again hitting as low as -2C in the north and 0C widely elsewhere.

Birmingham Live reports that Jim Dale spoke out on Sunday and said: “Potential for icy conditions, it’s definitely colder. Chilly morning and within the general realms of expectation at this time of year. Rather pleasant in the sunshine by day and chilly by night, but probably nothing more than that.

"The reason the winds are dying out is because the air pressure is rising from the west. This is the transition zone where we’re getting a bit of high pressure into the early part of next week. Once you’re out of the northerly wind then it will feel pleasant enough.”

Jim explained that the reason for the change in conditions was “because of the position of the high pressure” and that the weather would otherwise be “settled and tranquil”. He added: “It’s steady as you go coming out of the wet weather going into something drier.

"There’s no air stream coming out of the south so we won’t see a heatwave because there’s no southerly drag.”

The maps from WXCharts show a dramatic weather shift this week with sub-zero temperatures set to hit within days.

However, as we head into the weekend, things are looking a lot more promising with warmer temperatures expected, especially for those on the east coast.

Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee could see highs of 12C on Sunday April 21, with Glasgow and the west predicted to hit 10C.

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