Fog and frost blankets part of the country as autumn comes to an end

After weeks of mild temperatures, fog and frost have blanketed parts of the country.

As autumn comes to an end, the weather has taken on a distinctly wintry feel, with the mercury down into single figures by day and freezing nights.

Yesterday, the coldest place was South Newington, Oxfordshire, which recorded -3.1C (26.4F) in the early hours of the morning.

The country woke yesterday to a blanket of fog covered much of England from London and the M4 corridor as far north as Manchester and Yorkshire.

The gloom also extended into Wales and East Anglia, and was slow to clear. Daytime temperatures in areas such as Herefordshire struggled to reach a raw 4C or 5C (39-41F).

Further widespread fog was expected last night across much of England and Wales.

Meanwhile on higher ground, such as areas of the Pennines, frost was forecast, with temperatures set to fall to 0C (32F) or -1C (30F).

A Meteorological Office spokesman said today is again due to be gloomy for most parts of the country, with ‘early fog patches lifting’ but turning to low cloud.

Temperatures are due to reach maximum figures of 13C (55F) in south-west England, where breezier and clearer conditions are expected, and 11C (52F) in London.

But, under the blanket of fog and low cloud further north, it is set to be ‘chilly’ – reaching just 7C (45F) in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Some sunny breaks are expected tomorrow, particularly in south eastern England and near to coastal areas. But inland, it is again set to be cloudy and dull.

Cloud will linger across much of the country due to light winds, keeping overnight temperatures above freezing for most places except on high ground.

The Met Office said that during Monday, a weather front bringing patchy rain is likely to ‘spread south east’ across the country although some areas of the South West are due to remain dry.

The fog and frost have occurred due to very still air and, in some places, clear skies brought by an area of high pressure.

The high pressure is likely to ‘maintain settled conditions’ in southern and eastern England over the coming fortnight.

In its forecast for the first part of December, the Met Office said: ‘Outbreaks of rain and strong winds likely, but not restricted to, northern and western regions.’ Overnight frosts remain likely, along with ‘some mist and fog in places under any clear skies’.