Planes de-iced as Britain shivers in temps colder than South Pole

Planes had to be de-iced at Luton Airport. Photo: PA

Britain is set to face a week of snow and temperatures of -10C, according to weather experts.

Arctic winds and freezing temps will blast the country this weekend, and areas that have so far escaped the snow, like south east England, could see the white stuff.

The Met Office has issued a level three 'severe' cold weather alert, and spokesman Dan Willams told Aol Travel: "Some patchy snow showers on the far eastern coast are expected today and tomorrow. These are likely to be around Norfolk, Sussex and Kent, and are not expected to come too far inland.

"The vast majority of the UK will stay dry and bright today and tomorrow, with temps still very cold - likely to get down to -10C in some isolated rural areas tonight.

"As we go through into Saturday, a front of rain will push in from the west. As this comes up against the cold air pushing in from the east, this is likely to bring some wintry showers. Any snow is likely to turn to rain in north and west, but the south and east of the UK could see some heavy snow showers - up to 5-10cm is possible in places later Saturday into Sunday morning."

Staff at Luton Airport even had to de-frost the planes today as the icy blast continues.

A fleet of Easyjet planes were de-frosted before passengers could get on, as temperatures dipped below freezing at the airport in Bedfordshire.

PA

The AA were called out to almost 6,000 breakdowns by lunchtime yesterday, up from 5,200 on Tuesday.

Darron Burness, head of Special Operations, told the Express: "Drivers should take extra care, particularly on side roads and in rural areas."

Meanwhile, we are not the only country enduring a 'big freeze'.

According to the Daily Mail, the Black Sea froze near the Romanian coastline, and villagers in Serbia and Bosnia were airlifted from their homes after being cut off with no food.

And around 200 flights have been cancelled in Istanbul due to severe cold weather.

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