BRITS will shiver as temperatures dip to a bone-chilling -7C tonight – although warmer days may be on the way amid reports spring could arrive early.
Oxfordshire will be the coldest place in the UK this evening as the mercury takes a tumble.
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But the whole country will feel the freeze. It’ll be below zero everywhere, with -6C expected in North Yorkshire and -5C in mid-Wales.
And it’ll be so cold that overnight frosts will linger throughout the day on Friday in some places.
Health chiefs have issued a rare warning on what’s expected to be the coldest night of the winter so far for southerners.
Agostinho Sousa, a consultant at the UK Health and Security Agency, said the cold can have a deadly toll.
“Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections,” he said.
“Remind vulnerable relatives and neighbours to heat their home to at least 18C – particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 or older, or have a health condition.
ARCTIC BLAST
“Should they need to go outside, it’s important for them to wear shoes with a good grip.”
Meanwhile, some places will soon see snow as the freezing blast holds the country in its grip.
Met Office forecaster Clare Nasir said: “There will be Arctic air streaming down from the north delivering snow showers, particularly in the far north-east of the country.”
However, in most places it’ll stay cold and mostly bright for the rest of the month.
Aidan McGivern of the Met Office said: “On Friday morning, there’ll be a widespread frost.
“It’ll be perhaps the coldest night of the winter for some southern parts of the country.”
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His colleague, chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale, said cold air will hover over England and Wales into the weekend.
“With easing winds and good clear spells, a widespread frost is likely on Friday morning with temperatures recovering somewhat by day,” he said.
The bitter chill may not last for much longer.
Some weather models are suggesting signals for cold next month are getting weaker.
It means that if the high pressure continues, there could be some balmier weather on the way.
Emphasising that the forecast isn’t clear enough yet to make an accurate prediction, Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook said: “I wonder if we could have an early taste of spring?”
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Before warmer days return, it’s predicted that snow will fall in London before the end of the winter.
Flurries are expected to hit the capital on February 9.
Parts of Scotland and the north-east will face a battering on January 28.
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UK weather – Warning as coldest night of winter to hit with -5C Arctic blast on its way
