UK weather: Britain braces for bitter chill today as Met Office warns of ‘SNOW GRAINS’ after -2C plunge
BRITS are set to feel a bitter chill in the air today with snow grains on the way – after figures plummeted to -2C.
The Met Office has warned of icy temperatures after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued eight cold-health alerts across large parts of the country.
They cover the North East, North West and East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, as well as the East and West Midlands.
Those in London and the South East are also under warning and set to be affected.
Officials stated areas under caution can expect “minor impacts on health and social care services”.
These include “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people” and “greater risk to life of vulnerable people.”
The warning is more stark for Yorkshire and The Humber, with the region being warned of “potential significant impacts” across health and care services.
This includes a risk of a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, as well as potential impacts on younger age groups.
All warnings came into effect on January 17 at 6pm and will end at 9am on January 21.
The UKHSA has also warned that there is likely to be an increase in demand for health services and impacts on the workforce affecting delivery of services in the northern area.
It highlighted challenges the temperatures could pose to keeping indoor conditions at the recommended 18C, which could therefore increase the risk for vulnerable people.
It comes after temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling -2C on Friday night.
And Brits should be sure to wrap up warm this Sunday as the mercury will struggle to climb higher than 3C in the south and south east of England.
Those in the Midlands and north of England are set to feel temperatures hover around 1C or 2C for much of the day.
Elsewhere, the south west of England and Wales could experience highs of 6C.
Scotland is also set to see slightly warmer temperatures, with Glasgow and Edinburgh also reaching 6C.
Meanwhile, further north in the Scottish Highlands could reach 9C by late morning.
Similar temperatures will also be felt in Northern Ireland into the afternoon.
Light rainfall is also expected across Britain throughout the day.
As temperatures drop, these intermittent showers could become snow grains, according the Met Office.
Snow grains are a very small form of solid precipitation that appear like tiny opaque grans of rice.
Much of of the UK will remain cloudy and motorists have been urged to take care in misty conditions this morning.
Met Office Meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said in a YouTube forecast: “Through this morning and into the afternoon, we hold onto a blanket of cloud across much of England and Wales.
“Some drizzly outbreaks pushing north, you may even see some snow grains.
“Most of the sunshine will be across north and east Scotland but further out towards the west we do have a cold front brining in some rain to western parts of Northern Ireland.
“Temperatures are struggling with a cold feeling day ahead.
“As we go through the rest of Sunday not much changes across England and Wales but a band of rain will continue to move its way east.
“In the south we could see a touch of frost, mist and even freezing fog patches to start Monday morning.”
Heading into next week figures are expected to plunge once again, with much of England hovering between 0C and 3C on Monday morning.
But don’t let the freezing temperatures halt your journey – this expert revealed a hack for figuring out why your car won’t start in cold conditions.
And with freezing fog on the way, a driving instructor shared how you can keep your windscreen fog-free all day with an easy three-step trick.
Elsewhere heavy showers are predicted in the northwest into the afternoon.
But Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast some sunnier spells throughout the day.
Colder temperatures will persist in the south throughout the week, with milder conditions staying in the north.
The outlook from Tuesday remains generally cloudy overhead, with patches of rain sweeping across the UK from the west and moving eastwards.
UK five day weather forecast
The Met Office;
Today
A mostly cloudy day, with a risk of drizzle and snow grains in the south where cloud is thick enough. Some brighter spells possible in in the north and west, although patchy rain in the far west later. Chilly.
Tonight
Cloudy for most with patchy rain across western Scotland and Northern Ireland easing by dawn. Turning chilly with some mist and fog, especially under any clear spells.
Monday
Another cloudy day on Monday with patchy drizzle in England and Wales. Rain in the northwest turning showery, perhaps heavy at times. Some sunny spells for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday
A rather cloudy outlook with showery rain spreading erratically eastwards. Temperatures generally around average in the north, but chilly further south.