Widespread frost and freezing fog forecast as cold health alerts continue

Arctic air will maintain its grip on the UK to start the weekend, as cold health alerts remain in place for a large swathe of England. Patches of freezing fog could also be a hazard, reducing visibility and bringing a risk of very slippery surfaces in southern and eastern England. Then it is all change by Sunday with most areas having a frost-free start, but heavy bursts of rain and brisk winds will sweep across the country later.

In southern and south-east England there could also be some patchy freezing fog which forms in air that is below freezing. Super-cooled water droplets remain suspended in the air and it can be particularly dangerous as they can freeze on impact turning untreated pavements into instant ice rinks. Yellow cold health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in force for the West Midlands and north-west England until 12:00 Saturday , external .

By the afternoon, temperatures will rise across the UK - ranging from 7C in parts of the Highlands to a milder 12C in south-west England.