Britain is set for icy mist during rush-hour this morning that risks travel chaos and flight cancellations after the mercury dipped to -4C (24F) in parts of England overnight.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for fog across parts of the West Midlands, as well as the south west and south east of England, lasting until 11am today. Cities affected include Bath, Worcester, Gloucester and Brighton.
It said: 'Areas of fog have formed overnight and will be slow to clear in places Thursday morning - perhaps bringing some travel disruption.'
The weather service also warned of slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services, difficult driving conditions with potentially rapid changes to visibility and the chance of delays or cancellations to flights.
But the mist will later lift and give way to a dry and sunny day for many in the south, as high pressure dominates the weather over the next week or so, it added.
Over the past 24 hours, temperatures as low as -4C (24F) have been recorded in Marham, Norfolk, while Chillingham in Northumberland saw highs of 12C (54F).
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has put a Level 2 cold weather alert in place and encouraged people 'to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather'.
It comes amid a risk of freezing conditions from tomorrow until Monday, with temperatures continuing to plummet to -4C (24F) in parts of the country and people urged to check on their vulnerable neighbours.
St Peter's Parish Church is shrouded in fog as the sun rises in Lancashire on Wednesday. The Met Office issued a yellow fog warning across parts of the West Midlands, as well as the south west and south east of England, lasting until 11am today
The weather service also warned of slower journey times with possible delays to bus and train services, difficult driving conditions with potentially rapid changes to visibility and the chance of delays or cancellations to flights
The Met Office tweeted out the latest satellite image (pictured above), saying it 'picks out the fog quite well this morning', adding that it should be noted there are 'also areas of low cloud affecting parts of the UK'
The Met Office tweeted last night: 'Cloud making all the difference tonight. Where skies clear we will see frost and fog. Where clouds remain it will stay mild.'
In a later post, it added: 'Fog patches will lead to some tricky travelling conditions Thursday morning - take extra care.'
From Thursday afternoon, the weather service is warning that the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London, South East England and South West England regions will experience cold weather.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman said: 'Temperatures in central and southern England are expected to trend downwards from Thursday.
'Overnight minimum temperatures possibly getting to -4C in some rural areas, but widespread below-freezing conditions elsewhere overnight in the following days.
'This will result in some harsh frosts and possible freezing fog in some places.
'Temperatures will stay subdued through the next few days from Thursday in the alerted areas, with highs likely to remain in the mid-to-low single figures through the weekend, especially in places where any fog or low cloud lingers
