Arctic blast to hit Britain

Brits are being warned to batten down the hatches as gales of 100mph and temps of -2C are predicted - thanks to an Arctic blast hitting the UK this weekend.

It's going to feel much colder everywhere, with the mercury dropping to -2C in Scotland, and 9C to 12C in England.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of wind for the east coast of England, suggesting it will experience gales of up to 50mph to 60mph, while some reports predict they could hit 100mph in the Scottish Highlands.

They also warned of localised flooding due to wave surges over sea walls.

Strong winds have already whipped up huge waves, battering the coast at Seaburn near Sunderland (pictured above and below), as Britain experiences a "short, sharp shock" of colder temperatures after the Indian summer.

The Met Office warning reads: "An area of low pressure will pass close to northern Scotland, moving southeast into the North Sea on Thursday. This will cause gale force winds to spread along eastern coasts, along with some large waves and surge.

"Whilst gusts of 50mph to 60 mph are unlikely to cause disruption due to wind damage, the associated large waves and surge may well cause some minor flooding impacts in parts of coastal Eastern England.

"The public should be aware of the potential for minor coastal disruption, primarily due to large waves, such as overtopping of sea walls, and perhaps some flooding of coastal roads."

Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said that temperatures would fall from Thursday thanks to an "Arctic plunge". He told Aol Travel: "Thursday will feel much colder than of late everywhere. The east will experience fresh to strong northerly winds, with gales over the North Sea and gusts to 50mph possible.

"There will be scattered showers in the east, but western Britain looks like it will be a lot better with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures 10 to 12C over England and Wales, but nearer 7C to 9C in central and northern Scotland."

He added that the forecast was "bleak" for Friday and Saturday, saying: "Temperatures will reach around 10C in the rain in England. In contrast, under higher pressure to the north there will be the first widespread frosts of the autumn in Scotland. Temperatures down to -2C in places on both Friday and Saturday morning in central and western Scotland."

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