Forecasters have warned that the cold snap will continue into Sunday after temperatures fell well below zero in much of the UK overnight.

Topcliffe in North Yorkshire recorded -5.2C, while Benson, Oxfordshire, had an overnight low of -4.9C.

The Met Office issued a yellow “be aware” weather warning for ice across London, the south-east and south-west of England, warning of the risk of injuries from slips and falls on untreated roads and pavements.



A further weather warning for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland and Wales, as well as the north of England, Yorkshire and the West Midlands, was issued on Friday night, with both warnings in place until 10am.

Snow and sleet were expected in parts of the country throughout the day.

Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “The forecast is a day of sunshine and wintry showers, mostly across the north and west. It will generally be dry across the central and eastern parts of England.



“In the north and west of Scotland, the showers will be wintry at times and over higher ground we are likely to see snow, though it could fall on lower ground as well.

“It will be a cold and breezy day, feeling incredibly cold for November. Highs across the UK will be seven degrees at best, feeling colder in the wind. There will be a risk of ice throughout Saturday night into Sunday as well.”



Showers continue this evening, but clearer skies elsewhere. Chilly too, so if you're heading out 👞tonight👠, you might want to take your 🧥 pic.twitter.com/ESzJPIqcDL — Met Office (@metoffice) November 25, 2017

Rail travellers faced cancellations, suspended services and delays on some services in the south-east on Saturday morning, but trains were running normally again by early afternoon.

Police reported sleet and snow on the M62 in the early hours of Saturday, while drivers in Kent were urged to be careful on the icy roads.

Public Health England (PHE) warned people to be prepared as forecasters predicted a prolonged spell of cold weather.

Thomas Waite, of PHE’s extreme events team, said some people may fail to take precautions and were at “very real risk”. “We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold both in the home and while outdoors,” he said.

“Those most at risk include older people, very young children and those with conditions like heart and lung disease.”

Figures earlier this week showed there were more than 34,000 “excess deaths” in England and Wales over the last winter period – the second-highest level in eight years.

The Met Office said the cold weather would continue on Sunday, followed by a milder day on Monday before a prolonged period of low temperatures throughout the next fortnight.