RESIDENTS on the Shropshire and Powys borders are being warned to expect plummeting temperatures over the weekend and into next week.

The warning has come from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which has issued a cold weather alert from Saturday.

With more than 1,000 properties across the UK to have flooded, the change on temperature in the UK is expected to be felt most in the rural areas of Shropshire, Powys and Herefordshire.

OTHER NEWS:

The UKHSA has issued a yellow cold weather alert from 9am on Saturday until 12pm on January 12.

The Met Office said the cold snap will be caused by high pressure building over the UK into next week, with drivers urged to be cautious of ice.

It said temperatures will drop to minus 4C in parts of rural south-west England on Saturday night and minus 6C in rural areas along the Welsh border in Shropshire and north Herefordshire on Sunday night.

The UKHSA said: “A brisk easterly wind developing across the south over the weekend will make it feel much colder, with the added wind chill.

“Temperatures are likely to be a few degrees below average, across much of the UK, especially overnight, with more widespread frosts than of late.

“Ice is likely to be an issue for many given the very wet ground in most areas. It is probable this cold spell may last well into the following week.”

However, residents affected by the rain and floods can hope that the Met Office is correct in stating it has no weather warnings issued for rain in the coming weeks.

Met Office spokesman Oli Clyadon said the spell of rain that hit southern England on Thursday is moving eastwards across the North Sea, leaving “some scattered showers across parts of the UK”, mostly in the northeastern parts of Scotland.

He added: “We’re heading to a more settled spell of weather, which will be very welcome for many people across the UK after what’s been a very wet start to 2024.”