UK weather forecast: Health warning issued as mercury dips to -7C amid cold snap

A health warning has been issued after the mercury plunged to -7C in the south of England on Sunday night.

The freezing cold temperatures meant a frosty start for commuters on Monday morning, while Public Health England has issued a warning advising the elderly and those with heart and lung problems to stay indoors and heat their homes to 18C.

The warning is in place until Tuesday with Monday night expected to be freezing again.

The cold snap has in part been caused by unusually high pressure - gauges could be pushed above 1,050 hectopascals (hPa), possibly meaning the highest reading in decades.

High pressure means little to no cloud will form in the sky, causing a crisp and cold start to the day and fine and settled weather later.

Meteorologists have also warned the high pressure could cause some people's ears to pop more than usual.

However, the picture is very different up north where people will experience a much warmer start to the day.

Met Office spokesman Marco Petagna, said: "There is a bit of a north-south split this week.

"Down in the south temperatures are below freezing this morning, while in the north it is around 10C.

"It is certainly a frosty start but it should lift, making way for a sunny and pleasant day."

"For Scotland and Northern Ireland it's a much cloudier picture," he added.

"In the south, and south Wales temperatures will climb through the morning but temperatures will only reach 6 or 7C throughout the day.

"And it will be similar on Tuesday, we should expect frost overnight again making it a cold start but it should become sunnier throughout the day."

From Wednesday onwards the UK should experience cloudier weather with a front moving in from the Atlantic bringing rain with it over the weekend, Mr Petagna said.

The rain and cloud will be worst in the north-west of England.

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Your morning briefing: What you should know for Monday, January 20