Britain suffered it’s coldest January night in 15 years with weather warnings being extended across the nation.
Altnaharra, which is in the most northern region of the Highlands, recorded -18.7C on Friday night, the Met Office said.
It is the coldest January overnight temperature since 2010 when temperatures dropped below -15C several times at locations across the UK including -22.3C on January 8 in Altnaharra.
Much of the UK endured below-freezing temperatures overnight, with temperatures dropping to -11C in Shap, Cumbria, and Heathrow recording -5C.
The average low in northern Scotland for this time of year is about 0.3C, while for England, overnight lows are about 1.5C to 1.6C.
The last time the UK had a temperature under -20C (-4F) was February 11, 2021 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire dropped to -23C (-9.4F) shortly after Storm Darcy.
This was the UK’s coldest day since December 30, 1995, when the all-time coldest recorded temperature reached was Altnaharra with -27.2C (-17F).
This record is tied in first place with the same temperature in Braemar observed more than a decade earlier on January 10, 1982. Met Office data goes back to 1961
Swimmers break the ice during an early morning swimming in the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, this, morning
An early morning swimmer takes a dip in a partially frozen Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, after temperatures in the capital dropped to three degrees below freezing last night
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday.
Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until January 14 meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said.
Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said Saturday is forecast to be cold too, with temperatures expected to drop widely to below freezing overnight in eastern areas.
She said: ‘So another chilly night to come on Saturday, but then as we go into Sunday and into Monday, then we can start to expect temperatures to recover somewhat.
‘I won’t rule out the risk of seeing something around or just below freezing again on Sunday night into Monday, but it won’t be quite so dramatic as the temperatures that we’re going to experience as we go overnight tonight.’
Looking ahead to next week, she said: ‘We’re saying it’s getting milder but by no stretch does that mean (temperatures) are going to be above average, it just will feel comparatively much more pleasant than it is at the moment.’
The UK has experienced a ‘particularly long cold spell’, she said, adding: ‘It has been getting progressively colder each night this week, whereas looking at previous years, we’ve had maybe two or three days where things have been particularly cold.’
The country has been hit by widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Tuesday
An ice skater on a frozen flooded field in Upware, Cambridgeshire
A dog walker crosses a frosty field as the sun rises over Devizes in Wiltshire, where temperatures dropped to -4C
Horses on the gallops at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables, Strensham, Worcestershire
Young ice hockey players play on a frozen flooded field in Upware, Cambridgeshire
A wintry morning at Dunsden in Oxfordshire today after a hard frost covered the countryside
This morning, the Environment Agency had 55 flood alerts and 9 warnings in place
While scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, hundreds have been removed and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.
This morning, the Environment Agency had 55 flood alerts and 9 warnings in place, while Natural Resources Wales had no alerts still active.
The adverse weather has caused travel disruption to to road and rail services as well as airports.
Manchester Airport closed both its runways on Thursday ‘due to significant levels of snow’ but they were later reopened.
Ryanair has warned of ‘disruptions’ to and from the UK on January 11 and 12 due to ‘freezing fog’.
A statement read: ‘Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling to/from the UK on Sat 11-Sun 12 should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.
‘We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions, which are outside of Ryanair’s control and affect all airlines operating to/from the UK on Sat 11-Sun 12.’
Transport for Wales closed some rail lines in the country due to track damage following a period of ‘heavy wind, rain and snow’.
Frozen floodwater at Pitchcroft Racecourse in Worcester amid the severe weather
Buses are replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog until at least Monday.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
‘Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,’ said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.
‘Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed.
‘Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.’