A hard frost to greet Friday across central and southern regions of the UK where temperatures this morning are as low as -5°C in rural spots. It is cloudier and breezier towards the northwest though which means a less cold start here and this cloud will gradually extend further south and east during the next 24 hours which will reduce the frost risk for the weekend.

High pressure is back in control but with its centre over southern Ireland then this is allowing for some slightly milder westerly winds to move in around the top and it is these winds that are bringing the cloudier skies to much of northern and western Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Ireland this morning. This cloud will continue to make its way further south and east today, reaching western and north-western parts of England and Wales by this afternoon leaving central, southern and eastern regions with the best of the sunshine. Top temperatures today will range from 6°C to 8°C in the south and east to 8°C to 10°C further to the north and west so not as chilly as yesterday.

Those cloudier conditions continue to spread further south and east tonight which will help to hold temperatures above freezing for many, but under any lengthy clear spells in sheltered eastern districts a touch of frost is still likely. Some rain and drizzle will move into the far north and northwest and this continues tomorrow with many places seeing a mostly cloudy start to the weekend and the best of any brighter spells mainly towards eastern districts.

METEOROLOGIST: BARBER

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