UK weather forecast: Icy -3C blast brings freezing fog and frost in chilly start to the week
AN ICY blast is set to bring freezing fog and frost and temperatures plunger to -3C in a chilly start to the week.
Brits are braced for sub-zero temperatures and frozen conditions as forecasters warn of a coming cold snap.
The mercury is predicted to drop as low as -3C in Chard, Somerset early on Wednesday morning.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning about the “serious consequences” this week’s cold weather could have for the health of vulnerable people.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place on Wednesday in north-west Scotland as gusts of up to 56mph batter the coast.
The warning lasts from midday to 6pm, with travel disruption and plane and ferry cancellations “likely”.
Coastal communities could also be affected by spray and large waves.
Clear spells today are forecast to lead into widespread frost and freezing fog across southern areas, while rain and strong winds blast the North West, according to the Met Office.
Other areas are set to see cloudy but dry weather into tomorrow.
Into the middle of the week, dry conditions are predicted, though the Environment Agency still has 12 active flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible.
These are largely concentrated in southern areas and related to groundwater flooding, where the ground cannot absorb any more water and so rainfall sits on the surface.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to hover above zero, with highs up to 10C in parts of northern Scotland by Friday.
Wednesday is expected to be the coldest day, with a low of -3C accompanied by a blanket of frost across the South, the Midlands and into parts of the North West.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud said late last week: “We are expecting a cold front to sink south during the course of Saturday and it is going to really help clear the clouds.
“It is going to allow overnight temperatures to dip below zero and we are likely to see an increasing risk of overnight frost as we move into the early part of next week.
“Wrap up warm and close your curtains in the evening to help keep in the heat.”
The UKSHA has advised that if people are unable to heat their whole home, they should heat the living room in the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep.
