Frost alert as cold snap looms
PARTS of Britain woke up to wintry scenes this morning amid the first widespread frost of the autumn – and next week will be much colder.
The Meteorological Office said temperatures last night were due to have fallen to a low of -2C (28F) away from the South of England, and similar figures are likely tonight.
And following on from the first real cold of the season, next week will be considerably chillier. Daytime temperatures are likely to plunge 10C as an area of high pressure draws in Arctic air and even the possibility of snow showers.
Alex Burkill, of the Met Office, said: ‘Towards the middle of next week, we could get high pressure building to the west, bringing northerly air which would be quite cold. Overnight frosts are likely and daytime temperatures of 7, 8 or 9C (45-48F). Around the North East coast, there could be snow showers.’
The average temperature for midOctober is 14C (57F) in England and 13C (55F) in Wales.
Today is set to be dry with widespread sunshine in most areas, and temperatures of up to 16C (61F) in the South and around average in the North.
After overnight frost in some areas again tonight, tomorrow is due to be a fine day for much of England and Wales, Mr Burkill said.
He added: ‘On Saturday, rain is due to arrive in the North West but it will be fine elsewhere, while Sunday will see the rain move south quite slowly.’
The South and East are likely to stay dry through Sunday and have temperatures of up to 18C (64F) – above average for the time of year and in sharp contrast to those possible later in the week.
Overnight temperatures are due to be above freezing over the weekend.
Monday is likely to be breezy and cloudy in the North but spells of sunshine should break through elsewhere. Tuesday is set to be dry but cloudy.
Mr Burkill said this week’s frosts are not the first of the season but earlier ones have only occurred in isolated areas. The coldest temperature so far in England and Wales this autumn was 3.7C (25F) recorded at Redesdale Camp, Northumberland, on October 7.