UK Weather: Arctic Air Drops Temperatures to -7C, Cold Alerts Issued
Northerly winds are carrying Arctic air across the UK, with overnight lows of -7C possible and the first yellow cold health alerts of the season in force for the West Midlands and north-west England until Saturday. The chill is expected to ease by the weekend.
Arctic air has swept across the UK, and the weather arctic air drops are bringing overnight temperatures as low as -7C, forecasters said on Thursday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first yellow cold health alerts of the season for the West Midlands and north-west England.
The alerts, issued with the Met Office, are valid until 12:00 on Saturday. They warn of minor impacts on the health and social care sector, with more vulnerable people likely to use healthcare services.
The UKHSA said the cold snap "is likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services" and poses a "greater risk to life of vulnerable people". Cold health alerts are usually issued between November 1 and March 30.
Thursday night is forecast to be one of the most widely cold of the autumn so far, with temperatures falling below freezing in many areas. A few icy stretches are possible, especially in northern Scotland.
Afternoon highs will reach only 6 to 10C. Strong winds will add a significant wind chill, particularly on northern and eastern coasts, so it will feel colder than the thermometer reads.
Gusts could touch 50-60mph in north-east Scotland for a time. Blustery conditions will also hit the east coast of England.
Much of the country will see sunshine, since the air mass is relatively clear and has cleared the fog that affected some areas recently. Showers will blow into northern Scotland as a mix of rain, sleet and hail, with a little snow possible over high ground. Forecasters said this is not unusual for November.
Frost on Friday
Friday will bring more sunshine and generally lighter winds, though parts of northern Scotland will stay blustery. Showers are most likely in Northern Ireland, Wales, north-west England and Scotland.
Most towns and cities will sit around zero or just below, while rural spots in Scotland and even southern England could fall to -5C. Western and south-western coastal counties will be less cold, because the warmer sea and an onshore breeze will prevent frost from forming.
Friday night will bring another frost for many areas. The weekend will stay generally chilly, though temperatures should climb by a degree or two by day and night as southerly winds develop.
Morning fog is likely to return by Sunday, and the chance of rain will increase as high pressure gives way to low pressure and weather fronts. Next week looks more unsettled, with stronger winds and rain at times. Temperatures will generally be a little higher, but further incursions of cold air could bring wintry weather to Scottish mountains.
