Temperatures are set to plummet across Cumbria with lows of minus seven expected in rural areas. 

With the UK sitting in cold air from northern Scandinavia the weather is turning much colder for the rest of this week and the start of next with daytime temperatures struggling to get above single figures and overnight temperatures staying below freezing for much of the country.

After a frosty start, Tuesday is set to be a cold, sunny day with plenty of fine weather on offer. Perhaps some showers into the evening in Cumbria. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: “There has been some uncertainty in the atmospheric weather patterns for the coming days, however, confidence in the forecast is improving and there is a reducing chance of snow for southern areas of the UK, although there is still a chance we may see some sleety wintry showers over higher ground."

The cold regime looks likely to continue into next week, with a good deal of dry sunny weather for many. However, showers remain possible, particularly in eastern coastal areas, and these could be wintry at times.

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The UKHSA has issued yellow and amber cold-health alerts for the health sector covering northern regions of England through until December 5

Snowfall in late autumn or early winter doesn’t generally linger because ground temperatures broadly remain relatively high, especially compared with values in late winter, after the ground loses more of its warmth.