The Met Office has clarified why weather forecasts provide two different temperatures for the same location and which figure the public should focus on. Britain has been enduring Arctic conditions that have blanketed the country since the beginning of 2026, with widespread snow and ice affecting England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Multiple weather warnings remain in force today (January 6) throughout the UK, with sub-zero temperatures and "a range of winter weather hazards through the week", according to Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert. Multiple severe cold weather snow and ice alerts have been issued and may be updated throughout the week.

Television star Scarlett Moffat recently turned to her TikTok followers for answers after being "baffled" by an element included in her recent weather forecasts amid as the UK remains glued to the forecasts. The mum-of-one was confused about why two different temperatures could exist at once.

She said: "I've noticed lately it has been saying on my weather app that it says [the temperature is] 1C but feels like -2C. Surely, if it feels like it, then it is [that temperature], right? I don't understand where this 'feels like' thing has come from. Surely, that just means that is the temperature then, no?"

While it may seem like the 'feels like' temperature is simply a rough estimate, the Met Office has previously clarified how this figure is calculated with precision. It's not just about the actual temperature outside, other factors can make it feel warmer or cooler, reports the Mirror.

According to weather experts, the 'feels like' temperature is what people should really focus on when checking the latest reports. It provides a more accurate representation of how the weather will feel when you step outside, taking into account elements such as wind and humidity.

A spokesperson said: "For example, in winter, a strong wind can make you feel much colder than the measured temperature would indicate. Likewise, on a humid day in summer, it can feel uncomfortably hotter than the air temperatures would suggest on their own."

The Met Office determines this second temperature by considering more than just the readings from thermometers. They also take into account factors like "relative humidity and the strength of the wind at around five feet off the ground".

The spokesperson added: "Using these facts, we use a formula to adjust the air temperature based on our understanding of wind chill at lower temperatures, heat index at higher temperatures and a combination of the two in between."

The latest cold snap across the UK has resulted in schools being forced to delay the return to classrooms after the Christmas break across parts of the country where the weather has made roads difficult to travel on safely. The Met Office has put yellow weather warnings in place for all of Scotland, much of northern England, much of Wales, and for Northern Ireland.

Last night was an extremely chilly one with nine weather stations recording -10C last night making it the coldest night of the winter. Marham in Norfolk was the coldest place to see the mercury plunge to a nail-biting -12.5C. The second coldest was Dalwhinnie, a village in the Scottish Highlands, which recorded -11.2C.

People should keep up to date with the latest weather warnings and safety advice by keeping an eye on the Met Office website and social media channels for updates.