An urgent weather warning with frost has been issued as many areas across the UK are set to see the worst night yet tonight.
An amber level three 'Cold Weather Action' was issued by the Met Office yesterday, Thursday, January 26, and will last until Saturday, January 28.
The forecaster predicts that there will be a "90% probability" of severely cold and bitter conditions battering most parts of England - and temperatures will be as low zero in places.
Dangerous widespread frost will sweep over England over the next few days, causing severe disruption to services and may "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients".
From tonight frost will cover most parts of England, as the alert extends out into Saturday to "capture" the cold wintery overnight conditions.
The areas affected will include Southwest England, Southeast England, the East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West England and North East England.
According to the Met Office, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will not be affected by the level three alert.
The weather forecasting service says that "there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions between 9am on Thursday, January 26, and 12pm on Saturday, January 28, in parts of England," as it warns people to look after the vulnerable during this time.
The alert continues to outline: "Further night frosts to come over the weekend, with the most widespread frost likely on Friday night into Saturday morning, along with some patchy freezing fog in the south.
"The current Alert has been extended until midday Saturday to capture these cold overnight conditions. Daytime temperatures will be mostly close to average."
Travel delays are likely, while untreated surfaces could become slippery, as Brits have been warned to "Avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls".
Temperatures for the capital will fall to a cold 2C overnight, with temperatures dropping to only 1C in the early hours of Saturday morning for London.
According to the Met Office, London will see the coldest overnight temperature, with it dropping to a frosty 0C at 5am on Saturday, January 28, compared to Manchester that will be 3C at that time.
In Manchester, conditions will stay dry as temperatures will drop to 3C overnight and will stay the same until 7am.
Meanwhile for Yorkshire and Humber, areas such as Sheffield and Leeds will see temperatures of a cool 3C through Friday night, which will rise to around 6C on Saturday.
And for Newquay in Cornwall, temperatures will drop to a bitter 2C on Friday night, but will rise to 7C by midday on Saturday.
The lowest minimum temperature recorded this week, Thursday, January 26 in Shap, Cumbria, where the Met Office recorded a bitter -3.1C.
Further to this, the forecaster has updated its flood warnings message.
Alongside the Environment Agency, the Met Office has issued 13 flood warnings for England, where "flooding is expected", and 27 flood alerts.
Three flood warnings however were removed in the last 24 hours.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Dry weather dominant but a lot of cloud for some.
Today:
Early fog across Northern Ireland and some other western areas, then some sunnier breaks for many, especially in the west and into this afternoon. Generally fairly cloudy; some early light showers across parts of England, while rain reaches northwest Scotland.
Tonight:
Clearer skies and light winds across southern areas leads to sharp frost and areas of fog, possibly dense. Cloudier and less cold further north, weakening band of rain edging southwards.
Saturday:
Cloud and patchy light rain edging south across central UK, followed by clearer intervals and scattered showers further north. In the south, any fog clearing slowly to give some sunshine.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Often cloudy though largely dry across southern and eastern areas. More unsettled in the northwest with showers or longer spells of rain. Very windy at times for northern Scotland.
