UK weather: Snow set to fall as -2C temperature plunge triggers health

Snow could fall in parts of the UK as the Met Office warns temperatures could plummet to -2C in some places overnight with eight cold health alerts in place across England.

The UKHSA has issued fresh yellow alerts that cover the North East, North West and East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, as well as the East and West Midlands.

All of these warnings came into effect on 17 January at 6pm and are set to end at 9am on 21 January.

Icy temperatures and drizzle is set to hit the UK with temperatures hitting -2C (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

While temperatures during the day are set to be milder, frost and foggier patches are set to develop overnight on Saturday, with colder conditions on Sunday morning.

The Met Office predicts that it will be around -1C in the Midlands and in Yorkshire, with the temperature only reaching 5C in southern England.

Snow grains may fall across the south, while the remainder of the UK is set to be cloudy with the occasional sunny spell over higher grounds.

In an explainer on their website, the forecaster said that snow grains are very small white and opaque, and are the solid form of drizzle. These grains are fairly flat or elongated with a diameter generally less than 1mm.

A dull day for central and southern England with cloud thick enough for some drizzle in places ☁️

Sunnier spells developing in Wales, northeastern England and parts of Scotland

Mild for Northern Ireland and Scotland, cold for England and Wales 📉 pic.twitter.com/RmhGNqNa1s

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 18, 2025

A warning on the UKHSA website states that areas under caution can expect minor impacts on health and social care services, which include “increased use of healthcare services” by vulnerable people.

In Yorkshire and Humber, the warning also includes “impacts on the workforce affecting delivery of services” and “challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people”.

It comes two weeks after an icy blast hit the UK, with heavy snow falling across several counties and rainfall triggering floods which caused travel disruption with four airports having to close their runways.

Hundreds of schools were forced to close, and Leicestershire Police firefighters rescued 59 people from floodwater.

People walk through St James’ Park, central London, as temperatures drop (James Manning/PA Wire)

Here’s a look at the five day weather forecast:

Table of Contents

Saturday:

Rather cloudy, though some bright or sunny spells, mainly over and to the north of high ground. Some patchy rain and drizzle in places, and perhaps snow grains in the south. Mild in the north, chilly in the south.

Saturday evening:

Another cloudy night, though clear spells developing in the north and west. Patchy rain and drizzle, and a risk of snow grains, in the south. Turning chilly under clear skies.

Sunday:

A cloudy day, with outbreaks of rain in the far west slowly easing. A continued risk of drizzle and snow grain in the south where cloud is thick enough. Chilly.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

A cloudy outlook through the start of the new working week, with showery rain spreading erratically eastwards. Temperatures generally around average in the north, but chilly further south.

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