THE south is set to freeze today as a cold snap covers HALF the UK – sparking treacherous driving conditions for millions.
Meanwhile, Scotland and the North East are set to bask in glorious 11C temperatures.
The cold snap enveloping the South sees ice and fog return yet again, with the Met Office describing it as “freezing fog”.
Motorists have been urged to “drive with care” by the Met Office as road surfaces across the country iced over.
Alex Deakin from the Met Office said: “Wednesday morning not quite as frosty and foggy as recent mornings. But a few patches of both around still across the south.
“A dry day for many and a rather drab day as well with a lot of cloud covering the UK.”
He added: “A cold start across the southwest, some patches of frost here and some patches of fog slowly clearing as the cloud spills in from the north.”
The news comes as the Highlands saw the hottest December day last year, with the mercury soaring to 18.7C.
Overnight, temperatures plummeted to -4C.
And the south is set for a gloomy week, as forecasters say cloud and fog will envelope the region for most of the week.
However, the northeast and eastern Scotland will enjoy light, bright weather along with soaring temperatures.
The south will struggle to creep above 8C, forecasters say.
Public Health England is urging people to prepare for cold weather conditions and look out for those most at risk.
Dr Owen Landeg, principal environmental public health scientist at PHE, said: “Below 18 degrees, changes to the body mean that the risk of strokes, heart attacks and chest infections increase so heating homes to this temperature is particularly important to stay well.”
