THE Met Office has warned snow grains could fall TODAY as temperatures plunged to an icy -2C overnight – with eight cold health alerts in place.
Brits have been urged to brace for plummeting figures again, while the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued fresh yellow alerts.
They cover the North East, North West and East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, as well as the East and West Midlands.
Those in London and the South East are also under warning and set to be affected.
Officials stated areas under caution can expect “minor impacts on health and social care services”.
These include “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people” and “greater risk to life of vulnerable people.”
The warning is more stark for Yorkshire and The Humber, with the region being warned of “potential significant impacts” across health and care services.
This includes a risk of a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, as well as potential impacts on younger age groups.
All warnings came into effect on January 17 at 6pm and will end at 9am on January 21.
The UKHSA has also warned that there is likely to be an increase in demand for health services and impacts on the workforce affecting delivery of services in the northern area.
It also highlighted challenges the temperatures could pose to keeping indoor conditions at the recommended 18C, which could therefore increase the risk for vulnerable people.
It comes as the Met Office forecast snow grains may fall across the south today.
Snow grains are a very small form of solid precipitation that appear like tiny opaque grans of rice.
Elsewhere forecasters announced it will remain cloudy in most parts of the UK, with some sunny spells over higher ground.
There will be patches of rain and drizzle for most.
While mild temperatures are expected in the north, figures are set to drop in the south.
The Met Office warned of “significant change” to weather over the weekend, with temperatures expected to plummet to as low as -3C.
Conditions in parts of Northumberland and County Durham are expected to fall below freezing on Saturday night.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that while dry weather is set to arrive this weekend, temperatures are expected to drop slightly.
He said this is being caused by colder air coming in from Europe, with temperatures dropping “relatively low” as early as Friday night.
Alex added: “Many places in England and Wales will drop close to freezing, with some areas going below.”
While the forecast did say a “bit more” sunshine will arrive on Saturday, this will primarily be for northern areas.
This comes after the Met Office issued a fog warning earlier on Friday amid “tricky conditions”.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
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.
Tonight
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.
It comes after major incidents were declared earlier this month after heavy snowfall and “severe” flooding.
The Environment Agency issued over 300 flooding alerts while four UK airports were forced to cancel and delay flights amid runway closures.
Hundreds of school were also forced to closed for days during the chaos.
Elsewhere, firefighters in Leicestershire rescued 59 people while the body of a man was recovered from an area of flooding in North Yorkshire.
