Freezing fog patches have swept across parts of southeast England and Northern Ireland, after a -18C plunge as amber alerts for cold weather are expected to last another three days.
The Met Office warned on X: “It’s another very cold and frosty start for many on Sunday morning, with some freezing fog patches in places.”
The fog is expected to take the morning to clear, with icy conditions possible in affected areas.
This comes as Britain continues to experience severe cold conditions, following temperatures that plummeted to -18.9°C in Altnaharra on Saturday morning – the UK’s coldest January night in 15 years.
Freezing fog patches have swept across parts of southeast England and Northern Ireland
Met Office Twitter
The warning system, jointly operated by the UKHSA and Met Office since June 2023, issues amber alerts when widespread impacts are expected.
The alerts indicate a likely rise in deaths, especially among those aged 65 and over or individuals with existing health conditions.
Overnight temperatures have remained severe, with Kinbrace in northern Scotland recording -13.9C, while Cavendish in Suffolk saw -7.8C and Hawarden Airport in Wales dropped to -2.2C.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey advised extra caution, noting that fog patches are causing “low visibility” in some areas.
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A stark east-west temperature divide has emerged across Britain, with eastern regions experiencing maximum temperatures of just 3C to 4C.
Western areas are seeing notably milder conditions, with temperatures reaching between 7C and 9C.
Most regions are experiencing temperatures between 5C and 7C.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey explained: “It is an east-west split in exactly how it feels first thing today.
“Cold air is still in play across the east to provide a chilly start. But further towards the west, southerly winds are starting to bring in something a touch milder.”
Once fog clears, parts of England, Wales and eastern Scotland can expect some sunshine throughout the day.
Milder conditions are set to arrive overnight on Sunday, according to Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst.
Northern Ireland and western Scotland could see temperatures between 9C and 10C by night’s end.
Most areas will experience temperatures between -1C and 3C, marking a less severe night compared to recent days.
Britain saw temperatures plunge to -18C
The start of next week will bring a north-south divide, with Northern Ireland and northern regions expecting cloudy conditions and patchy rain with temperatures between 9C and 12C.
Central and southern areas will remain drier, with temperatures ranging from 5C to 8C.
Tuesday’s forecast suggests similar conditions but potentially drier, with northern temperatures reaching 11-12C and southern regions experiencing 8-9C.