UK 's coldest temperature for a decade already shattered after mercury plunges in one Highland spot to -18.8C

THE coldest UK temperature for more than a decade has been surpassed just hours later – with the mercury already falling in one Highland spot to -18.8C on Wednesday night amid predictions of at least -20C overnight.

Kinbrace in Sutherland is already more than 1.5C colder than Altnaharra's frigid -17.1C last night, which at the time was the coldest temperature recorded anywhere in the UK since Boxing Day 2010.

But with widespread snow cover across swathes of the Highlands, and crystal clear skies overhead, it's likely that the mercury will fall even lower than the -18.8C recorded at 9pm before the night is done.

Related news: UK's coldest temperature for more than a decade recorded in Highland village

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.