Britain is facing sub-zero conditions overnight yet again tonight as temperatures stubbornly remain lower than average for November.
Yellow weather ‘be aware’ warnings have been issued across parts of England, Scotland and Wales today after a combination of freezing temperatures and showers mean there is a high risk of ice.
Temperatures overnight dipped to -6.3 degrees Celsius in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire last night – making it the lowest temperature of the Autumn so far. Meanwhile temperatures in Benson, Oxfordshire and Drumnadrochit, Scotland plummeted to -4.9 degrees Celsius.
Parts of the country were colder than the US research base Palmer Station in Antarctica, which saw lows of just -2C overnight.
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: ‘The forecast is a day of sunshine and wintry showers, mostly across the north and west.
‘It will generally be dry across the central and eastern parts of England.
A car lies on its side after sliding off the A515 near Flagg after snowfall and wintery conditions overnight in the Derbyshire Peak District
‘In the north and west of Scotland, the showers will be wintry at times and over higher ground we are likely to see snow, although it could fall on lower ground as well.
‘It will be a cold and breezy day, feeling incredibly cold for November.
‘Highs across the UK will be seven degrees at best, feeling colder in the wind. There will be a risk of ice throughout Saturday night into Sunday as well.’
After a relatively mild week, traditional November conditions arrived in earnest last night as temperatures fell overnight and snow was dumped on some parts.
Three deer stand in a frost covered landscape in Richmond Park, London after a cold snap hit the capital overnight
‘Honey’ the Cockapoo has fun playing in the snow whilst on a dog walk at Tan Hill, in North Yorkshire this morning
Mist and fog surrounds the village of Evercreech in Somerset as the cold start to the weekend affects visibility for much of the area
The cold snap will continue into today with temperatures expected to reach between three and five degrees Celsius in the north, with the south expected to be a few degrees warmer, reaching between five and seven degrees Celsius during the day.
Yet the blustery winds across large parts of the country mean that temperatures will feel a few degrees colder than what the thermometer may read.
Severe yellow weather warnings for ice has been issues in Wales, Northern Ireland, western parts of Scotland, north-west England and in Surrey by the Met Office.
A forecaster said: ‘A band of rain, sleet and snow showers will move from the North West to South East across the yellow area through Friday, clearing during the early hours of Saturday, followed by further wintry showers.
Two people drag a sled through the snow in Oldham and Saddleworth after heavy snowfall throughout the night and into the morning (left) while a signpost is covered in snow on the Buttertubs Pass in the Yorkshire Dales National Park (right)
The sun rises over a cold Bradford this morning as swans brave the cold to swim in the chilly water
Snow settled on the grass and trails this morning in Bradford and was present into the morning as the sun rises over the city
One youngster scraps ice from the front screen of his parent’s car this morning near Carmarthern in Wales. Weather warnings remain in place across vast parts of the UK
The Met Office issued yellow severe weather warnings across parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland due to the icy weather conditions (left). Temperatures in the south will be slightly higher than those in the north according to the Met Office weather forecast (right)
A layer of sleet and snow settled overnight in Shaw, Lancashire with footprints visible on the pavement
Icy conditions this morning meant that National Rail was forced to suspend its service between Lewes and Hastings
‘Icy patches are likely to form on untreated surfaces as temperatures fall.’
Paul Gundersen, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Colder air has now reached most parts of England, with temperatures expected to fall further by Saturday, when the cold will be accentuated by strengthening winds.’
Just before 8am this morning, National Rail was forced to suspend trains on part of its Southern service due to the icy weather.
National Rail said in a tweet: ‘YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO TRAVEL BETWEEN LEWES AND HASTINGS THIS MORNING. Services between these stations have been suspended due to extremely icy conditions.’
Public Health England reminded people to be prepared ahead of the cold weather.
Dr Thomas Waite, of their Extreme Events team, said: ‘We’re well used to winter in this country so most people know what to do to protect their health before and during cold spells.
‘But there are people who may not take precautions and who are at a very real risk.
‘We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold both in the home and while outdoors.
‘Those most at risk include older people, very young children and those with conditions like heart and lung disease.
‘That’s why every cold season we urge people to look out for family, friends and neighbours who may be at risk. Ask yourself if you could check on a neighbour to see if there’s anything they need?’
Dr Waite added: ‘We know that more deaths occur every winter in the UK than in the summer due to a wide range of causes including cold weather, influenza and other respiratory infections.’
On Sunday, those travelling on the roads in Cornwall have been warned to take extra caution on the roads as sleet and hail will reduce visibility. The sub zero conditions in the county could also lead to potential icy patches on roads which motorists should be wary of.
We should expect some respite from the freezing temperatures on Monday, with forecasters saying we could be treated to temperatures as high as 13C thanks to a low pressure system moving in overnight and in the morning.
However the mild weather is not expected to stay for the rest of the week, with temperatures expected to reach similar temperatures to that of the weekend.