Weather forecast today – UK faces bitter weekend as FREEZING polar blast brings freezing fog and thick frosts
BRITAIN is facing a bitter weekend as an icy polar blast sends temperatures plummeting across the country.
Freezing fog and thick frosts are on the cards but one silver lining is that it's likely to remain dry for most of the country over the coming days.
There will be light winds with plenty of sunshine once the fog clears, though it will remain cloudy and dull in the south east.
The cold weather comes as odds tumbled on a White Christmas across northern England and parts of Scotland this year.
Bookies are saying Edinburgh and Newcastle are the most likely cities to experience snow on December 25.
Follow our weather live blog for all the latest news and updates…
- Claudia Aoraha
SUB-ZERO EXTREMES
The Met Office has predicted the UK could experience its most extreme nights of the season this week as temperatures plunge to sub-zero lows of -5C in some areas of northern Scotland.
Northern Ireland may shiver with lows of -4C, while Birmingham is expected to reach a bitter -3C.
- Claudia Aoraha
TEMPERATURES PLUNGE
Temperatures across Britain are set to plunge in the run-up to the weekend, with fog threatening to linger even into the afternoon in some parts of the country.
Here's the latest weather map – showing how chilly it will be today.
- Claudia Aoraha
'RATHER CHILLY FOR MANY' SAYS MET OFFICE
Here's the latest weather lines for Britain today.
The Met Office said: "Most parts will be dry with light winds and sunny spells, though a few stubborn fog patches may persist.
"Cloudy in the far south, perhaps with a little rain at times.
"Rather chilly for many."
And for tonight, the forecast is: "Some rain for northwest Scotland. Perhaps cloudy with a little rain in the far south of England.
"Turning frosty elsewhere with freezing fog patches, perhaps dense in places by dawn."
- Claudia Aoraha
FROSTY START TO THE DAY
There was heavy frost and mist for dog walkers today in the early morning in Abington Park, Northampton.
Credit: Alamy Live News - Claudia Aoraha
HIGH PRESSURE IN SCOTLAND TODAY
This morning will be very misty and foggy for the majority of Scotland, as high pressure is the "name of the game" today.
BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston says that there will be frost and fog across central and southern Scotland, which should thin and break throughout the day.
There is also a risk of some icy patches in the country today.
- Claudia Aoraha
SUNRISE THIS MORNING
Sunrise and morning mist from Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, on what is set to be a dry and crisp autumnal day.
Credit: SWNS:South West News Service - Claudia Aoraha
DRY WITH SUNSHINE TODAY
Here's the latest weather update from the Met Office
"Chilly with a frost in many places at first on Thursday.
"A few pockets of freezing fog as well and the odd patch may linger well into the day.
"Otherwise, many places will be dry with plenty of sunshine, although feeling colder than of late."
- John Hall
FOG, FROST & SUNSHINE THIS MORNING
It's set to be a cold start to the morning, with fog and frost across most of the UK.
The Met Office said: “Low cloud is keeping the temperature above freezing across the far south and southeast this morning.
“Elsewhere there's a mix of fog, frost and some sunshine to start the day.”
- John Hall
LIGHT WINDS
HIGH pressure is due to cause sunny spells later today.
But parts of Britain will have to endure fog patches on Thursday.
Most parts of the UK are going to be dry and clear with light winds, according to the Met Office.
- John Hall
FROST AND FOG
FREEZING fog and frost will have Brits shivering this morning, the Met Office warned.
“A widespread frost forming – more widely than we've seen of late – and temperatures below freezing fairly widely, and some fog forming,” said Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern.
“Certainly feeling colder on Thursday, especially where the fog persists throughout much of the day – and a similar day to come on Friday.”
- John Hall
CHILLY START
IT'S a much chillier start to the day than yesterday.
Temperatures in London and the south east will hover around 8-10C.
In Manchester, the mercury is not expected to rise above 5C, while in Belfast the temperature will be around 4C.
It will be even colder in Scotland, with Edinburgh's temperature due to be around 2C.
- John Hall
BRRR-IITAIN
FREEZING weather will blast Britain today sending the mercury plunging.
Fog is expected in parts of the country over the morning.
Thicker fog is expected by the end of the day, with drivers warned it may continue into Friday.
- John Hall
OUTLOOK FOR WEEKEND
High pressure is likely to linger over the UK and gradually shift eastwards from Friday.
Temperatures will be colder than normal but it will remain mostly dry.
A weak front is on the horizon which could bring some cloud and downpours to northern Scotland.
By Sunday, there is a chance of some rain spreading in to western areas as high pressure shifts away.
- John Hall
WILL IT SNOW ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
One of the burning questions among Brits is whether 2020 will bring a White Christmas in a bid to boost some festive cheer.
Well, Edinburgh and Newcastle are the most likely cities to see some snowfall on Christmas Day – standing at odds of 3/1 – according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.
Manchester is a 4/1 shot, while London is a bit of an outsider at 5/1.
- John Hall
RAILWAY STAFF IN TRAINING TO TACKLE FOWL TRESPASSERS AS WEATHER WORSENS
Railway staff in Wiltshire are being trained to tackle fowl trespassers on the line as the weather worsens.
With driving rain and gales up to 50mph forecast, there's a feathered nightmare…short-sighted swans!
The barmy birds, flying overhead, are peering down in the murk and mistaking the dull-grey gleam of train tracks for a river and they're crash-landing.
Now Network Rail staff in Wiltshire – which has a maze of rivers and streams – are getting training from a charity.
Specialist sessions from the Swan Sanctuary mean rail workers will no longer have to wing it when trying to get the birds off the tracks.
The Wessex Route, which runs close to the River Avon through Salisbury, sees as many as 20 swans cause disruption each year.
- John Hall
PANDEMIC HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON CO2 RISE IN ATMOSPHERE
Lockdowns across the world in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis have had little effect on the rise of CO2 concentrations, the World Meteorological Organisation has said.
Despite carbon emissions plummeting as the world was plunged into lockdown – leading to a fall in carbon emissions – the drop has done little to slow the overall rise in concentrations.
Carbon emissions dropped to 17% at the peak of the pandemic but the WMO says there is still plenty of work to do.
WMO secretary general Prof Petteri Taalas said: “The lockdown-related fall in emissions is just a tiny blip on the long-term graph.
“We need a sustained flattening of the curve.”
- John Hall
COLD NIGHT IN THE CAPITAL
Rain will clear in the coming hours before turning drier and colder in London tonight.
Outbreaks of rain will be restricted to the far south-east of the country.
Temperatures could drop to 3C tonight.
- John Hall
MANCHESTER TO REMAIN DRY… FOR ONCE
The North West will see a calm and bright evening but temperatures will plummet.
A few showers remain along western coastal areas but it will stay largely dry for most.
It will be colder than last night as temperatures could dip to a low of -2C overnight.
It could be a frosty night too so you may have to de-ice your car in the morning.
- John Hall
OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
Most areas will get some respite as it will remain fine and dry.
That is once all fog patches are clear.
Fog may linger for much of the day in a few spots though and cloud will be on the agenda in far southeast England.
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