The Met Office has issued a warning to residents in the UK to prepare for extremely cold temperatures as an Arctic air mass moves across the country.

Storm Claudia, which has already caused chaos in places like Wales, is expected to impact more areas as it heads south, bringing temperatures as low as -7 degrees Celsius.

According to Dan Holley, the deputy chief meteorologist at the weather forecasting office, the shift in weather patterns will result in a significant drop in temperatures, with a possibility of wintry conditions such as snow and ice, along with widespread frosts.

The storm, named by the Spanish meteorological service, hit the UK on Friday, leading to severe flooding in Wales where a major incident was declared. Many individuals had to be rescued or evacuated due to rising water levels.

In Wales, over 100mm of rainfall was recorded in a 12-hour period, causing significant flooding. The Environment Agency reported flooding in England as well, including in Cumbria.

As the cleanup efforts begin, authorities are warning of a cold snap that could bring snow and a significant wind chill in the upcoming days.

The Welsh Government has urged affected individuals to follow advice from emergency services and local authorities as they deal with the aftermath of Storm Claudia.

Emergency response teams, including the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police, Welsh Ambulance Services, and other rescue organizations, have been actively involved in managing the situation.

Local representatives have called for support for those affected by the flooding, emphasizing the distress caused by property damage.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England, while the Environment Agency has cautioned that flooding risks will persist throughout the weekend.

The cold weather alert covers several regions from Monday to Friday, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber.