Britain is set for ‘dense’ fog during rush-hour this morning as sub-zero temperatures grip the nation, heralding the start of a five-day cold-snap with the mercury near freezing.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for ‘dense fog patches’ that ‘may cause travel disruption’ from 10pm last night until 11am today in central and southern England, as well as parts of Wales.
Ahead of its warning, the weather service advised people to expect slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services and the prospect of delays or cancellations to flights.
It had initially set the alert until midday, but this was trimmed due to the fog ‘not being as extensive as earlier expected’ and to focus on ‘main areas of fog formation’.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has put a Level 2 cold weather alert in place and encouraged people ‘to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather’.
Bookmaker Coral has made it odds on at 4-5 that the UK will record its coldest January ever, while also making it even shorter odds of 1-2 on snow falling in London this month.
It comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from this Thursday until next Monday, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country and people urged to check on their vulnerable neighbours.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for ‘dense fog patches’ that ‘may cause travel disruption’ from 10pm last night until 11am today in central and southern England, as well as parts of Wales (pictured: two people walk underneath umbrellas during wet and misty weather on Westminster Bridge on Tuesday morning)
Ahead of its yellow warnings (pictured on map above), the weather service advised people to expect slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services and the prospect of delays or cancellations to flights
From Thursday afternoon, the Met Office is warning that the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London, South East England and South West England regions will experience cold weather.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: ‘Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday.
‘Overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4C in some rural areas, but widespread below-freezing conditions elsewhere overnight in the following days.
‘This will result in some harsh frosts and possible freezing fog in some places.
‘Temperatures will stay subdued through the next few days from Thursday in the alerted areas, with highs likely to remain in the mid-to-low single figures through the weekend, especially in places where any fog or low cloud lingers throughout the day.’
Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, added: ‘As we continue to experience very low temperatures this winter it’s important to remember to check on those who are more vulnerable to cold weather, such as elderly or frail friends and family, especially if they live alone or with a serious illness.’
Rowers train at sunrise on Wednesday morning on the River Cam in Cambridge. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: ‘Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday’
People run along the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge at sunrise today. Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, advised people to wear shoes with good grip if they need to go outside during the cold weather
A man walks through Sefton Park in Liverpool today. Bookmaker Coral has made it odds on at 4-5 that the UK will record its coldest January ever, while also making it even shorter odds of 1-2 on snow falling in London this month
A man walks his dog early this morning in Sefton Park, Liverpool. The Met Office’s Dan Rudman said: ‘Overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4C in some rural areas’
A cyclist rides through Sefton Park in Liverpool this morning. With the cold weather arriving as Britons face a crushing cost-of-living crisis, the Government advised people to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom while going to sleep
She said the ‘most vulnerable’ should heat their homes to at least 64F (18C) particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition.
She also advised people to wear shoes with good grip if they need to go outside during the cold weather.
Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon told Metro he was not expecting widespread snow, but for a light dusting on high grounds in Scotland, which is expected at this time of year.
Meanwhile, Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said: ‘With January still yet to reach its third week and temperatures forecast to sink extremely low as the month progresses, we now make it odds on to be the UK’s coldest ever.’
He added: ‘Londoners can expect snow this month with the white stuff falling firmly odds on according to our odds.’
Lorries queue in the fog on the A20 into Dover Port on Tuesday in Dover. The fog warning comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from this Thursday until next Monday, with temperatures set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) put a Level 2 cold weather alert in place and encouraged people ‘to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather’. Pictured: Heavy fog in the New Forest, Hampshire
The sun sets behind the Beatles Statue in Liverpool on Tuesday evening, as temperatures are set to plummet as low as -4C (24F) in parts of the country
The Met Office had initially set the fog warning until midday, but this was trimmed due to the fog ‘not being as extensive as earlier expected’ and to focus on ‘main areas of fog formation’
With the cold weather arriving as Britons face a crushing cost-of-living crisis, including increased costs on heating bills, the Government advised people to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom while going to sleep ‘if people can’t heat all the rooms they use’.
The UKHSA, which issued the cold weather alert, added: ‘Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer.
‘Having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm.’
The predicted cold weather comes after Britons experienced a milder than usual start to the year and follows the UK’s warmest ever New Year’s Day when St James’s Park in London registered 16.3C (61.3F), beating the previous record of 15.6C (60.1F) set in Bude, Cornwall, set more than a century ago in 1916.
And that came after the country’s mildest New Year’s Eve on record the day before when Merryfield in Somerset reached 15.8C (60.4F), beating the previous high of 14.8C (58.6F) set in 2011 at Colwyn Bay in North Wales.