UK set for milder weekend as autumn cold snap loosens its grip

The UK is in line for a milder weekend as the unusual autumn freeze begins to ease, according to forecasters, after a night of plunging temperatures prompted cold health alerts across parts of the country.

Most of Britain can look forward to a "fine day with some sunshine" on Saturday once morning frost clears, the Met Office said. The improvement will not be universal, however, with heavy rain and showers expected to sweep in from the west, bringing patchy rain and strong winds to northern areas and the far west.

Snow is also possible in north-west Scotland, the forecaster said. Saturday morning temperatures were expected to range widely, from around 5C (41F) in Norwich and Manchester to 11C in Plymouth.

The gentler conditions will come as a relief to many after the bitter cold of Friday night, when the thermometer dropped to -6.6C in Sennybridge, near Bannau Brycheiniog in south Wales, and -6.5C in Shap, a village close to Penrith in Cumbria.

The sharp chill led the UK Health Security Agency to issue its first yellow cold health alerts of the season this week, covering the West Midlands and the north-west. The alerts remained in force until midday on Saturday.

According to the agency, the conditions were "likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services", with the alerts pointing to greater demand for healthcare and a heightened risk to the lives of vulnerable people.

Saturday evening is expected to bring drier weather to eastern England, along with clear spells and further frost in places. Elsewhere, skies are likely to stay cloudy with occasional passing showers, the Met Office said.

Sunday should start with temperatures holding above freezing in the morning. Sunshine is forecast to lift conditions in the east, while the far north and west of the UK are also expected to see some brighter spells later in the day.

For the rest of the country, the outlook is less inviting, with plenty of cloud and wind forecast alongside rain, some of it heavy. Hill snow could also fall in Scotland and northern England.