Temperatures are set to plummet to -3C in a “cold plunge” this weekend as health warnings have been issued across the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that some areas could see significant impacts on local health and social care services.
The cold health alerts began on Friday evening and will remain in place for five days until 9am on Tuesday morning.
The whole of England – apart from the south west – has received a yellow alert, including warnings that the weather will have “minor impacts” on health and social care services.
The cold temperatures will grip Britain over the weekend into early next week
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Risks include the greater use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, even posing a risk to life in some areas.
Even worse in Yorkshire and The Humber, the area was warned of “potential significant impacts” across services.
While the south west of England has not yet received a yellow warning, the UKHSA has issued the warning that “minor impacts” are possible but not anticipated.
Britain’s weather will also be driven by a cold plunge off the coast of America fuelling a powerful jet stream.
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This could strengthen low-pressure storm systems on their path towards the UK bringing wet and windy weather, according to GB News’ Weather Correspondent, Nathan Rao.
A “battle” between a high-pressure “anticyclone” to the east and low pressure “cyclonic systems” to the west will keep Britain’s weather in the balance.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Many places in England and Wales will drop close to freezing, with some areas going below.”
Today, some “bright” or “sunny” spells are expected across the north, as well as some high ground, although the Met Office has forecast cloudy weather for most of the nation.
The cloudiness will continue throughout the weekend, with clearer skies in the north and the west as the temperatures drop (Stock)
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The cloudiness will continue throughout the weekend, with clearer skies in the north and the west as the temperatures drop.
Looking towards next week, the Met Office has warned that the UK’s weather pattern will be “more changeable” and “at times unsettled”, as a “milder, wetter and winder scenario” is believed to be “most likely”.
Still, the government agency said that there was still a small chance that cold European air might flow into northern Britain, which might increase the possibility of snowfall.
By the end of January, strong winds and heavy rain are expected to move in from the Atlantic, while mild conditions are meant to prevail.
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