UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday

Dry for much of the UK on Friday, but parts of northern and western Scotland will have patchy rain.

Spells of sunshine in places, but areas of low cloud and fog may linger, and are likely to be more extensive that on Thursday.

Dry for much of the UK on Saturday too, but with a fair amount of cloud.

Forecast for January 27 – February 10

This period is likely to see a gradual transition to more unsettled conditions.

Heaviest precipitation is likely to occur across the northwest, particularly later in the period, whilst drier than average conditions are more likely to affect the southeast, particularly earlier in the period.

Spells of strong wind are likely, particularly in the north. Temperatures likely to be slightly above average overall.

Some colder interludes are still expected though, bringing a risk of occasional snow, most likely over northern hills.

Forecast for January 12-21

High pressure is expected across southern and central parts of the UK at the start of this period, bringing settled conditions and light winds, though it’s likely to be rather cloudy in some areas.

Temperatures will be generally around average, but there is a risk of some colder nights with local frost and fog.

Spells of rain, drizzle and stronger winds are likely further north, with temperatures near to or slightly above average here.

Confidence decreases through the period, but a return to generally more unsettled conditions across the UK is likely later on, with western and northwestern parts expected to continue to see the wettest and windiest weather.

Temperatures likely to remain around average.

Advice for drivers whilst travelling in the fog

• Avoid travel if possible
• Drive very slowly with dipped headlights, full-beam lights reflect off the fog causing a ‘white wall’ effect
• Keep an eye on your speed, fog can give the illusion of moving in slow motion
• Use fog lights, but remember to turn them off when the visibility improves
• Don’t hang on the tail lights of the car in front, rear lights can give a false sense of security
• Watch out for freezing fog which is made of water droplets that freeze on contact with objects such as the pavement, road, car, etc. It can quickly form a layer of ice.

What to expect from the fog

The Met Office have said to expect:

• Slower journey times with delays to bus and train services possible.
• Difficult driving conditions with rapid changes to the visibility along routes possible.
• There is a chance of delays or cancellations to flights.

Why flight delays are more likely in winter

The Met Office says: “Fog, snow, ice and crosswinds mean that air traffic controllers have to increase the gap between planes that are landing, reducing the number of aircraft that an airport can manage.

“The same weather can make it slower and more difficult for the planes to taxi between runway and terminal building. As many commercial flights are cruising more than five miles above the ground, they can be affected by different weather than we are experiencing on the ground.

Safety is always the first consideration for the aviation industry. An aircraft that’s stood overnight in freezing weather will need de-icing before its first flight in the morning.

“That’s a fairly big task for one plane but imagine the task at Heathrow on a snowy January morning. At the same time there are miles of taxiways and runways to clear.

“Then think about the people who do this work getting to the airport – the same snow and ice are probably affecting the roads and railways.”

Late January to early February forecast

Conditions expected to remain broadly unsettled and changeable through this period with occasional spells of wet and windy weather moving across from the Atlantic.

Western and northwestern parts likely to see the wettest and windiest conditions overall whilst eastern and southeastern parts probably seeing the most of any drier spells.

Temperatures likely to be slightly above average overall throughout but there remains a possibility of short-lived colder spells.

Colder spells likely to bring a risk of snow at times, though mostly over high ground in the north.

Temperatures expected to plummet this week

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday, with overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4 °C in some rural areas, but widespread below-freezing conditions elsewhere overnight in the following days.

“This will result in some harsh frosts and possible freezing fog in some places.

“Temperatures will stay subdued through the next few days from Thursday in the alerted areas, with highs likely to remain in the mid-to-low single figures through the weekend, especially in places where any fog or low cloud lingers throughout the day.”

A gigantic blanket of fog is expected to hit East and West Midlands, London, East Wales, the South East and East of England with sunny conditions expected for southern and central areas by Wednesday midday.

Multiple yellow warnings for fog this morning

The Met Office have issued multiple yellow fog warnings for this morning with drivers warned to stay safe.

The warning is for west Midlands, south west England as well as London and south east England and is set to last until 11am tomorrow.

Pictured: Heavy fog on the Thames near Putney, London

Heavy mist and fog sits on the River Thames in Putney is pictured in the freezing looking image.

Rowers and joggers tried to make their way along the river earlier this morning.

The Met Office has placed much of England under a yellow warning for fog until tomorrow morning.

Minimum temperatures overnight could reach -3C

Minimum temperatures are set to reach as low as -3C in some parts of the country.

The Met Office tweeted: “Temperatures remaining mostly above freezing in the north tonight

“Further south a widespread frost developing where skies stay clear.”

Cold and frosty start to Friday morning

The Met Office said: “Friday is going to get off to a frosty and cold start for most

“A cold and frosty start in places #Friday morning, any #fog slowly lifting

“Leaving a sunny day for many.

“Cloudier and milder in the north.”

Weather outlook for Saturday to Monday

Fog for central and eastern areas on Saturday, slowly clearing.

Otherwise cloudy, with patchy rain.

Widely more settled on Sunday, although blustery showers in the northeast. Monday, dry and bright

Multiple yellow warnings for fog this morning

The Met Office have issued multiple yellow fog warnings for this morning with drivers warned to stay safe.

The warning is for west Midlands, south west England as well as London and south east England and is set to last until 11am tomorrow.

Met Office ‘4Cast’ for Friday

The Met Office tweeted: “Mostly fine and dry conditions feature in Friday’s 4cast although it will start frosty for some with fog slow to lift in places.

“Cloudier further north with outbreaks of rain and drizzle across Scotland.”

“Check out all the details.”

Is it illegal to leave your car engine running to defrost your windscreen?

If you leave your engine running while your motor is stationary on the road, it could land you in hot water.

“Stationary idling” is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which means leaving the car running is off-limits.

The Act enforces rule 123 of the Highway Code which states: “You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.”

So, defrosting your windscreen by leaving the engine and heating on is actually against the law.

However, this law doesn’t mean you have to turn your engine off at every red light, as it is simply aimed at unnecessarily idling vehicles to help reduce noise and air pollution.

Further information on tonight’s yellow fog warning

Fog patches will reform during Thursday afternoon, particularly in river valleys and near lakes, and may become locally dense during the evening with visibility below 100 m in places.

Fog is expected to become more widespread overnight and after dawn on Friday morning with further dense patches, before slowly clearing.

However, a few patches may persist into the afternoon.

How to prepare for an Arctic Blast

Prior to an Arctic Blast below are some things to do in order to prepare:

• Schedule a furnace inspection to ensure your heat system will work
• Fix up drafty areas in your home
• Close your curtains
• Prepare for a power outage
• Ensure your pets have their food, medications, and whatever else they might need

Why flight delays are more likely in winter

The Met Office says: “Fog, snow, ice and crosswinds mean that air traffic controllers have to increase the gap between planes that are landing, reducing the number of aircraft that an airport can manage.

“The same weather can make it slower and more difficult for the planes to taxi between runway and terminal building. As many commercial flights are cruising more than five miles above the ground, they can be affected by different weather than we are experiencing on the ground.

Safety is always the first consideration for the aviation industry. An aircraft that’s stood overnight in freezing weather will need de-icing before its first flight in the morning.

“That’s a fairly big task for one plane but imagine the task at Heathrow on a snowy January morning. At the same time there are miles of taxiways and runways to clear.

“Then think about the people who do this work getting to the airport – the same snow and ice are probably affecting the roads and railways.”

Pictured: Freezing cold morning over the Great Walk, Windsor

This striking image below captures a cold, frosty and foggy start in Windsor, Berkshire.

With all its majesty and splendour Windsor Castle peeks out of the fog during a crisp and frosty morning today at Windsor Great Park today.

The Queen’s deer had the picturesque Long Walk to almost to themselves as mist hung over the Royal residence following a night of freezing temperatures

Fog patches to start the day

Tomorrows weather will see fog patches mostly clearing by day leaving good sunny spells.

The odd patch may linger over the Midlands. Again cloudier in the north with some rain.

Cloudy start to the weekend for those in Manchester

Cloudy Saturday with the chance of patchy drizzle.

Any overnight rain will clear Sunday morning leaving a windy, bright and fresh day.

Dry, but fairly cloudy and breezy on Monday.

London’s weekend forecast

Largely dry Saturday and Sunday, but rather chilly and cloudy at times, with patchy mist and fog slow to clear in the mornings.

Dry with prolonged sunny spells Monday.

Kids left ‘frozen’ outside school

Pupils at Bishop Heber in Malpas, Cheshire, can only wear a branded school jacket on school grounds, which, along with various items of clothing, would cost a family up to £100 per child.

Photos taken by furious parents show staff walking around outside in warm overcoats while some children are just in jumpers, according to Cheshire Live.

The school says it believes if children were allowed to wear their own coats, it would “erode the great relationships we have with the students”, because they would push the boundaries and start to wear hoodies.

One angry mum said her asthmatic son was put into isolation for retrieving his confiscated coat because he was cold.

“They confiscated his [my son’s] coat yesterday – outside – which I thought was absolutely ludicrous. He has asthma, which he is on constant medication for, so getting cold does him no good.

“Because he went and got his coat back because he was cold, he has been put into isolation, that was his punishment.

“Why would you take a coat off a child when you know they’ve got asthma?”

Reminder of this evenings yellow warning

There will be fog across large parts of England and Wales.

The Warning is to come in to place from 5pm this evening until 11am Friday morning.