Met Office issue cold weather alert warning for this weekend as temperatures plunge

The Met Office say there's an 80 per cent chance of cold weather affecting much of England until Monday

The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert warning with an 80 per cent risk of "severe cold weather" over the weekend across England.

The low temperatures could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

The very cold overnight temperatures and widespread frosts are likely across the North of England and Midlands throughout Friday and until Monday morning.

"Daytime temperatures are also remaining in the low single figures of Celsius, especially across rural parts," it said.

"Mostly places [will be] dry, although a few very isolated wintry showers are possible across North Eastern coasts," warned the Met Office alert.

People are urged to maintain regular contact with vulnerable neighbours and ensure they have access to warm food and drinks.

The public should "avoid exposing yourself to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at risk of cold-related illness or falls".

"Overnight mist and freezing fog patches are possible across Central England, leading to a cold day on Saturday. Across the far South and South West, temperatures could recover a little on Saturday, with a small chance of rain."

In Manchester, the Met Office predicts temperatures will not rise above 5 degrees Celsius, with lows of -2C coming on Monday morning.

It will stay cold and dry for most of Sunday into Monday.

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Separately, a yellow Met Office weather warning is in place as temperatures plunge, with fog likely to lead to some travel disruption on Friday night and into Saturday morning.

The warning is in place from 1am on Saturday until 11am.

The change in temperature is as result of Arctic winds blowing southwards causing temperatures to tumble.

It covers a swathe of England, across Yorkshire, south to Birmingham and East Anglia and the home counties North of London.

After heavy rain in October and earlier this month, there are still seven Environment Agency flood warnings in place where flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Flooding badly affected parts of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire during the heavy rain and 'danger to life' warnings were issued at the time along the banks of the River Don.

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