UK weather maps show temperatures are to plunge amid -5C Arctic blast

UK weather maps show temperatures are to plunge amid -5C Arctic blast The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned weather will turn particularly cold this weekend — a huge change following the 14C recorded in Camborne, Cornwall, on Tuesday Britain is set to be hit by an Arctic blast which could see temperatures plummet to -5C in parts of the country from today. Foggy mornings and frost on the ground have become a regular sight for many Brits over the past few days as a chilly spell sets in across Britain. Overnight temperatures in cities and towns are forecast to fall below freezing with rural areas set to drop to lows of -5C. The forecast comes as the first cold health alerts of the season were issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the North West of England and the West Midlands. The yellow cold alert is set to be in place from 9am on Thursday and will last until 12pm on Saturday. To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed. Snow forecast on Thursday on higher ground Snow and gusts are forecast for parts of the country amid the upcoming cold snap that the UKHSA warns "is likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services" as well as posing a "greater risk to life of vulnerable people". Arctic air is set to hit the British Isles from today, with strong winds developing over northern and eastern regions in Scotland. Forecasts take an even chillier turn from early on Thursday morning with snow being predicted for higher areas, including in Scotland. Temperatures are expectd to drop between 1C and 2C in northern Scotland, 6C in Northern Ireland, 5C in southern Wales and between 3C and 6C for much of England. Clare Nasir, meteorologist with the Met Office, said: "The rain skirting the far south coast of England and it could turn heavy particularly towards the southwest with a fairly gusty breeze and strong winds in fact could see near gale force winds across Shetland through into Thursday morning. "And then as we head through Thursday after a frosty start across many areas away from the far south, we'll see those showers turning to snow, particularly over the higher ground across the northeast of Scotland, even at lower levels for a time. "It's going to feel very cold in that wind with a ridge of high pressure attempting to push in from the west. And that means lighter breezes through Friday across more southern areas, but also a frosty start to the day come Friday morning." Met Office says 'prolonged rainfall' is expected The forecast later this month paints a miserable picture for Britain, with bands of rain and windy weather expected to endure for some time. In its long-range forecast for between November 25 and December 9, the Met Office said: "Changeable or unsettled conditions are expected initially, with Atlantic weather systems bringing spells of rain and strong winds at times, interspersed with brighter, showery periods. "Through late November, low pressure may become slower-moving to the west of the UK, potentially bringing more prolonged rainfall, particularly to southern and western areas, along with a continued risk of strong winds. Into December, confidence becomes low, but there is a possibility that low pressure tracks shift further south as high pressure builds to the north. "This could bring further rain at times to central and southern areas, while northern parts become somewhat drier. Temperatures will probably be near or slightly above average in the south, with an increasing chance of colder conditions extending southwards from the north into December."