Britons advised to seal their letterboxes ahead of next week
As the UK braces for another spell of cold weather, households are being asked to take steps to insulate their homes against the falling temperatures expected next week. After the disruption caused by Storm Goretti earlier this month (which brought a sharp drop in temperatures), the Met Office has again warned of snow showers and chilly conditions that could last into early February.
What to expect from the weather
The Met Office says colder conditions are on the way, with snow showers likely to move across the UK. While milder weather may push into the South and South-west at times, the overall picture looks on the chilly side, particularly over the hills in Scotland and northern England. “Whilst mild conditions are expected to encroach into the South and South-west at times, it is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow showers,” the Met Office reports.
The end of this week should be unsettled, with showers or longer spells of rain across many areas. Temperatures are expected to be near average for most places, but the far north is set to be colder. Heading into Sunday and early February, the UK should prepare for sustained cool weather, especially in the north, where high pressure is continuing to hold back Atlantic systems.
How weather systems will affect different areas
Weather systems coming in from the Atlantic will try to push into the UK but are likely to stall because of high pressure to the North and North-east. That could bring further spells of rain or showers, possibly heavy and persistent across the south and west. As the Met Office puts it: “Weather systems moving in from the Atlantic will continue to attempt to push in from the west, but tending to stall in the vicinity of the UK as they encounter high pressure to the North and North-east.”
Scotland (particularly the hilly parts) and northern England should be on alert for possible snow showers. The far north is likely to be colder, though it may also see some of the driest spells, along with the North-east. Towns and cities across the country, still recovering from Storm Goretti, face renewed weather challenges.
Practical tips for households
With the cold snap coming, Sam Jump, head of business development at underfloor heating specialist Wunda Group, has shared practical ways to keep homes warm. Focusing on energy efficiency, Jump says: “During a cold snap, there are several simple ways that homeowners can reduce energy usage to save money on their heating bills without switching the heating off.”
- Covering letterboxes is recommended to prevent heat loss (these are often a notable draught point).
- “Audit and seal any gaps where even the slightest draught could be creeping through, and keep both internal and external doors closed,” Jump advises, and suggests investing in external letterboxes and draught excluders for the best results.
Addressing heat loss is a high priority, the Wunda Group adds: “The single most effective way of making your heating work more efficiently is to identify and address areas of heat loss.” Heavy or thermal-lined curtains are recommended as a worthwhile investment to better insulate windows and external doors.
Getting ready for the cold
As the chill draws in, preparing ahead can make a big difference to how warm and comfortable a home feels. Houses can lose up to 20% of their warmth through windows and external doors, so sealing draughts and improving insulation is highly worthwhile.
The Met Office and industry experts stress the importance of staying informed and taking action while the nation heads through this unsettled, cold period. By putting these measures in place, households not only keep warmer but may also save on their heating bills — a sensible move during the winter months.