Widespread Frost and Freezing Fog Hit England and Wales Saturday
Widespread frost and freezing fog are forecast across England and Wales on Saturday, November 14, with lows of -5C in the countryside. Yellow cold health alerts remain in force for the West Midlands and north-west England, before rain and wind arrive on Sunday.
Widespread frost and freezing fog are forecast across England and Wales on Saturday, November 14, as Arctic air keeps its grip on the UK and cold health alerts stay in place for a large part of England.
Temperatures in towns and cities are expected to fall to -2C or -3C. In the countryside they could reach -5C, with the coldest conditions in England and Wales.
Patches of freezing fog could reduce visibility in southern and eastern England. In south-east England the fog may form in air that is below freezing.
Why freezing fog is a hazard
Freezing fog is made of super-cooled water droplets that stay suspended in the air. They can freeze on impact, turning untreated pavements into what forecasters describe as instant ice rinks. Drivers and pedestrians face a risk of very slippery surfaces.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow cold health alerts in force for the West Midlands and north-west England until 12:00 on Saturday. The first alerts of the season took effect from 09:00 on Thursday, issued with the Met Office.
The yellow alerts warn of minor impacts on health and social care. Vulnerable people, who face a greater risk to life, are likely to use healthcare services more.
Milder afternoon, then rain
Once the fog and frost clear, Saturday will be largely bright and dry. Afternoon temperatures will rise across the UK, from 7C in parts of the Highlands to 12C in south-west England. Places further north will see a breeze and temperatures a few degrees above freezing in the morning.
England and Wales should see long spells of sunshine, apart from an odd early shower in the far north-west. Northern Ireland will have bright spells in the morning, then thickening cloud and rain by evening. Scotland will see a few showers and feel colder in the wind.
Sunday brings a change. Most areas will start frost-free, but low pressure sweeping in from the Atlantic will push showery rain from west to east across much of the UK, with brisk winds.
The heaviest rain is likely in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in southern and western parts of England and Wales. That is generally good news for areas still suffering from drought or severe drought, though parts of eastern England may miss most of the rain.
Thursday's overnight lows had already fallen widely below freezing. The coldest spot was Sennybridge in Powys, Wales, at -6.6C. Next week looks more unsettled, with stronger winds and rain at times, and further cold air could bring wintry weather over Scottish mountains.
