WINTRY weather is to make a return as fog blankets the country after a warm Christmas - and forecasters say the cold snap will stay until the new year.
Some parts of the country saw the temperature plummet to -5C last night as a severe weather warning was given over fog visibility.
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A man braves the chill as he cycles through Richmond Park in south west London this morningCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Two stags are pictured fighting as the sun comes up over a frosty and crisp looking Richmond Park in London this morningCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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A cold frosty morning over many parts of the UK including Flintshire in North Wales as a result of clear sky and high pressureCredit: Alamy
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Flintshire in North Wales -temperatures will decrease of the coming days with further frost and clear nights with temperatures dipping furtherCredit: Alamy
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Kayakers make their way through the fog on the River Trent near Holme Pierrepont, Nottinghamshire, during a golden sunriseCredit: PA:Press Association
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The rising sun illuminates the whisps of mist rising off the River Rheidol near Aberystwyth at first lightCredit: Alamy
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Swans glide through the waters at Poole Park in Dorset, where temperatures fell below freezing overnightCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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An enthusiastic hiker sets out on a cold and frosty walk through a fog-filled Richmond Park after temperatures plummeted last nightCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The strength of the wind forced water upwards from a waterfall near Stainmore in Cumbria todayCredit: North News and Pictures
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Frost and fog covered large parts of the UK this morning and is expected to linger for several daysCredit: Alamy
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After a warmer than average Christmas period the temperature has dropped and will stay low until the new year, forecasters sayCredit: PA:Press Association
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Cobham in Elmbridge, Surrey, woke up to a beautiful morning with a red sunrise and frosty fieldsCredit: WENN
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Frosty morning in the village of Ripe, East Sussex at temperatures dropCredit: Alamy
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Temperatures this morning below -3C as a flock of sheep brave the elements in the village of Moel-y-Crio, FlintshireCredit: Alamy
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King's College Chapel in Cambridge looks majestic against the frosty ground and foggy air surrounding itCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The River Cam creates a moody scene as fog mist rises from the waterCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The sun rises as ducks patrol down the River Cam in Cambridge on a frosty morningCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The meadows at Granchester near Cambridge are covered in frost as the ground hardened overnight in the coldCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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A stunning sunrise is a suitable backdrop for a picturesque wintry sceneCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The cold day got off to a stunning start with a colourful sunrise filling the sky over the countryCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Fog swirled over the roofs of Cambridge's historic buildings this morning as the warm Christmas weather fadedCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Frost and fog covered large parts of the UK this morning and is expected to linger for several days.
A severe weather warning is in place for the east Wales, Midlands and eastern England areas until midday on Thursday.
Driving conditions are expected to be difficult with poor visibility through dense patches of fog.
A level three weather warning has also been put in place until 11am on Friday after temperatures dipped below 2C in parts of northern, eastern and south-eastern England.
Public Health England (PHE) issued advice for the over 65s, those with long-term illness or who are not mobile.
Dr Thomas Waite, consultant in extreme events and health protection at PHE, said: "The effects of cold can be severe, in particular for those who are over 65, have a long-term illness, or are not mobile. Our advice to these groups is when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C.
"If mobility isn't an issue, keep active as best you can. If you need to go out wear lots of thin layers and shoes with a good, slip-resistant grip to prevent any accidental falls. It is particularly cold at night this week, so drawing the curtains at dusk will keep the heat in."
He also stressed the importance of checking on potentially vulnerable family and friends during the cold period.
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The River Cam cuts a serene path through the frosty meadows at Granchester near CambridgeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Dog walkers brave the chill to take their pets out in the fields near CambridgeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Fog surrounds Windsor Castle in Berkshire as frost settles on the groundCredit: PA:Press Association
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The Long Walk up to the entrance of Windsor Castle as it looms out of the fog on a sunny wintry dayCredit: PA:Press Association
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A runner jogs across the public sports fields of Home Park as fog surrounds the distinctive silhouette of Windsor Castle in BerkshireCredit: PA:Press Association
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It was a foggy and hazy start to the day in London as the sun rises behind Tower Bridge in a scene which could fit into the countrysideCredit: Alamy
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Swimmers brave the cold weather at The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London, between Christmas and New YearCredit: i-Images Picture Agency
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This brave chap got in the chilly waters of the Serpentine in central London's Hyde Park this morningCredit: i-Images Picture Agency
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Walkers head out into in the frost covered fields at Clayfield Copse, Berkshire, this morningCredit: Rex Features
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Narrowboats moored on the Saltisford Arm of the Grand Union Canal at Warwick on a freezing winter`s morningCredit: Alamy
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A freezing cold bright and clear start with a very heavy frost around the rural picturesque village of Calverton, Milton KeynesCredit: Alamy
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Sunrise over rooftops in Halifax West Yorkshire, sees in a chilly winters dayCredit: Alamy
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The sun rises on another clear and sunny day over the fishing fleet at Newlyn. Despite a cold wind, the temperature at sunrise was 9 degreesCredit: Alamy
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Below freezing temperatures and bright sunny start to the day in the market town of Hucknall, NottinghamshireCredit: Alamy
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Dense fog on the river Thames makes for a magically beautiful morning in London, this morningCredit: Alamy
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Thick fog covered much of the country this morning as the temperature drops and is expected to stay low until the new yearCredit: Alamy
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The day started with dense fog on very cold and frosty morning in Finsbury Park, North LondonCredit: Alamy
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Clissold Park in Stoke Newington, London, was covered by thick fog this morningCredit: Alamy
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It was a frosty start for many people throughout the country as the temperature went below freezing last nightCredit: Alamy
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Frost clings to plants as the cold weather swept over the country last nightCredit: Alamy
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A sever weather warning is now in place until midday on Thursday due to the fogCredit: Alamy
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Although it started off very cold and frosty clear skies made for picturesque scenesCredit: Alamy
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Frosty fields surround a cosy looking farmhouse in north Wales as temperatures plummet for most of the UKCredit: Alamy
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Fog covered much of the UK this morning as the Met Office put out a severe weather warning for driversCredit: Barcroft Media
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One person is getting ahead of themselves in wishing the driver of this frozen car a happy new yearCredit: Rex Features
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Deer walk across the frosty landscape of Richmond Park in south west London as the cold day beganCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Richmond Park took on a moody feel this morning as people made their way through the pathways and frosty grass
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The days sun rises over the frost covered fields at Playhatch Oxfordshire - much of the country was blanketed with fog as the chilly day beganCredit: Rex Features
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In some parts of the country a severe weather warning was in place due to the poor visibility through the thick fogCredit: Rex Features
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After a freezing cold night with temperatures plummeting well below zero, a keen birdwatcher videos the tens of thousands of starlings flying out in huge swarms from their overnight roost in Aberystwyth, WalesCredit: Alamy
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The cold and foggy conditions did not deter all walkers as they set off for a brisk start to the day in Richmond Park, LondonCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Fog covered areas of Cobham in Surrey as the temperature plummeted following a warming Christmas periodCredit: WENN
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A deer stands in crisp and frozen leaves and foliage in Richmond Park in south west London this morning after a cold startCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Deer make their way across the hard ground in Richmond Park as fog blankets much of the country this morningCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
After a warmer than average Christmas period the temperature has dropped and will stay low until the new year, forecasters say.
Today will see some sunshine in the south-west and northern England, but it will be cold.
Temperatures fell below zero last night, and in some places went as low as -5C.
This evening is set to be cloudy for much of Britain with more fog forming in England and Wales, bringing frost.
Wind will pick up in the far north, with a little patchy rain. Thursday will see more fog and some rain in the north.
The Met Office warned people returning to work after the Christmas holidays to watch out for stubborn fog in the coming days.
Forecaster Simon Partridge said it will be slow to clear thanks to unusually high pressure wedged over the UK.
He said: “High pressure will be in charge for most of the week so apart from the far north it is going to be generally dry and settled.
“We are expecting widespread frosts and fog overnight in central, southern and eastern regions which will be slow to clear and will lead to some quite chilly days.
“Scotland will be slightly milder at perhaps 9C or 10C, but it will be more unsettled.
“On New Year’s Eve we have a band of rain stretching across most of Scotland and with slightly colder air behind we could see snow over high ground, so after the mild weather parts of Scotland could see a white start to the year.
“The main issue this week through will be fog, we have very strong high pressure over the UK which will make it very slow to clear.”
Some sunny spells will develop in higher ground as the wind picks up in the north-west.
Friday is expected to have a mild and dry start but a band of rain will bring in the colder temperatures and winds as the weekend begins.
The weekend will continue to be cold with patches of rain.
European air quality experts Prev’Air warned pollution will build across Britain over the next few days.
The main culprits will be PM10 and PM2.5 - tiny suspended particles of soot, metal and vehicle exhaust fumes.
Experts have warned people with breathing or other health conditions to take extra care when pollution levels are high.
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It was a frosty morning on the outskirts of Leeds today as the ground was covered in a white blanketCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The north of the country was affected by the drop in temperature as fog and frost covered fields in LeedsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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It was a picturesque, if chilly, start to the day for many across the UK - here the sunrise hits a frosty field in LeedsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Fog covering much of the UK could cause problems for travel, both on the roads and in the air as visibility is poorCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Furrows on this field in Leeds are defined by the frost clinging to the grass as the sun rises on the chilly dayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The sun rises over the sea in Gorran Haven, Cornwall, this morning as the UK braces itself for chilly weather after a warmer snap over ChristmasCredit: Rex Features
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The clear skies threaten at the cold day ahead - as forecasters predict that the cold weather will continue into the new year for the country
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “During periods of moderate or high pollution, people with respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, can find their conditions worsening.
“To minimise this impact, people should avoid pollution hotspots, such as busy roads, particularly during rush hour.
“Where possible avoid congested areas and carry their medication with them.”
WeatherOnline forecaster Garry Nicholson said cold weather is likely to persist into the start of 2017.
He said: “High pressure will dominate the rest of December bringing fair weather to most of Britain. “Fog patches may be persistent in central and eastern regions.
“Most places will be dry throughout this week.
“Rain spreads from the north-west by the New Year weekend, then it is likely to turn colder as we start 2017."
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