Temperatures plummet as first cold health alerts of winter come into force
Temperatures are expected to drop on Thursday, with some frost and snow over the next few days.
The first cold snap of the season is due to hit the UK as yellow cold health alerts come into force, with some overnight temperatures expected to drop to minus 6C in some areas.
Harsh frost is expected over the next few days while parts of northern Scotland could see some snow as cooler air is swept across the UK from the north.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow cold health alert for the North West and West Midlands from 9am on Thursday to noon on Saturday.
Other regions of England are currently unaffected.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said drivers can expect to scrape their cars in the morning as the first cold snap of the season takes hold.
He said: “The UK is heading towards what will feel like the first cold spell in late autumn, with temperatures likely to drop down towards minus 6C overnight for some in the coming days and a fairly harsh frost likely for some.
“Through the day-to-day, the main weather of note I suppose is the possibility of some snow over higher ground in northern Scotland.
“This isn’t massively unusual for this time of year but could see a couple of centimetres accumulating over the very highest ground in the north of Scotland.”
Mr Dixon said there will be some unsettled weather in the north west of the UK, with rain expected across western parts of Scotland on Saturday.
“As we get to Sunday, it’s turning more widely unsettled with rain spreading across much of the country and some potentially fairly heavy showers at times through the day”, he said.
“Thirty millimetres of rain could fall fairly widely through the day, particularly in the west on Sunday.”
Mr Dixon said there is a chance of snow in the far north of Scotland on Monday morning.
The UKHSA said the colder weather can lead to the increased use of healthcare services and greater risk to life for vulnerable people.
Dr Anya Gopfert, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “This is the first cold-health alert of the winter, but we can expect more as we move further into the season.
“Cold weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, so it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable.”
Dr Gopfert said heating homes and dressing warmly can help people stay safe during the cold weather.