UK weather: Freezing fog sweeps Britain after -18C plunge with NINE cold health alerts in place – see map for locations

FREEZING fog patches swept over Britain this morning with amber cold health alerts still in place across the nation.

The cold spell continued overnight after temperatures plummeted to -18.9°C on Saturday morning in Altnaharra - the UK's coldest January night in 15 years.

Temperatures dropped to -13.9°C overnight on Saturday.

Kinbrace in northern Scotland saw the lowest overnight temperature, while Cavendish in Suffolk hit -7.8°C and Hawarden Airport in Wales dropped to -2.2°C.

Freezing fog is in place in areas of south east England and Northern Ireland which will take the morning to clear and could cause icy conditions.

The Met Office said on X: "It's another very cold and frosty start for many on Sunday morning, with some freezing fog patches in places.

"Less cold in the west with patchy rain moving into Northern Ireland."

Sunday day will see an east/west divide with a maximum of 3°C or 4°C in the east.

While the west could see between 7°C and 8°C or potentially 9°C, and for the vast majority it will be between 5°C and 7°C.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday.

Amber alerts will now run until January 14, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said.

Run by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office, the system was introduced in June 2023.

While yellow alerts are issued during periods of cold weather that pose a risk to elderly people or those with serious health conditions, amber alerts are put in place when a wider impact is expected.

The forecaster has also issued four flood warnings and 39 flood alerts.

Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: "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.

"The joint factor between east and west, though, is that there are some fog patches around to provide some low visibility.

"Quite dense in places so do take care if you are about to step out or travel at all.

"Once the fog does clear across parts of England and Wales though and into eastern Scotland as well, there will be some sunshine throughout the day to enjoy."

Temperatures ranged between the far north and south of the UK during the day on Saturday with maximums of 11.3°C recorded on the Isles of Scilly and -9.3°C in Altnaharra.

Overnight on Sunday is when the milder air will arrive, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

By the end of the night temperatures in Northern Ireland and western Scotland could be between 9°C and 10°C.

Most places will be between -1°C and -3°C, which is not as cold compared to recent nights.

Next week is set to start with a north and south split with the temperatures and weather.

Northern Ireland and the northern half of the country will be cloudy with outbreaks patchy rain and between 9°C and 12°C.

Central and southern areas are expected to be drier and between 5°C and 8°C.

Tuesday will be similar, but potentially drier with temperatures between 11-12°C in the north and 8-9°C in the south.