Freezing weather is expected across the UK this weekend, with temperatures predicted to fall as low as -6C ((********************************************. 2F).
Public Health England (PHE) have warned people to prepare for the sub- zero temperatures and look out for those most at risk.
Emergency shelters will be opened across London, in a bid to help homeless people escape thefreezing overnight weather.
While Saturday and Sunday should remain dry and bright with maximum temperatures of around 6 to 8C, the cold weather will draw in as night approaches.
Sky Weather presenter Isobel Lang says: “On Saturday night as skies clear we will see a more widespread sharp frost with falling temperatures as low as minus 6 or 7C in the countryside.
“Some patchy fog is likely too. Shetland and the coastal fringes of East Anglia and Kent may just see a shower or two.
“Sunday will be sunny but chilly, with freshening south westerly winds bringing cloud in across western Ireland and Scotland later.”
Beyond the weekend “the emphasis is on mostly dry conditions although it will turn cloudier with some rather murky, foggy mornings. Frost will become more limited. There will be some patchy rain around especially in the northwest”.
A cold weather alert was issued by Public Health England (PHE) from 6pm on Sunday to 6pm on Tuesday.
Dr Owen Landeg, principal environmental public health scientist at PHE, said : “Below degrees, changes to the body mean that the risk of strokes, heart attacks and chest infections increase so heating homes to this temperature is particularly important to stay well. “
The plunging temperatures come afterStorm Brendan caused road , rail and flight chaosacross parts of the UK last weekend, with gales of up to 90 mph.
The cold weather is in sharp contrast with last month, when record temperatures were recorded in the Highlands.
A temperature of 7C ************************ (F) was recorded at Achfary in Sutherland on December************************************.
Earlier this month it was confirmed that the
past decade was the warmest on recordData also showed the last five years were the warmest since records began in .
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings