Greater Manchester and north west England is forecast for a cold day with "widespread frost", while Met Office weather warnings remain in place across the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold health alert affecting all of England over the next few days, which will remain in place until 8am on Saturday, November 22. An amber warning is in place for north east England, north west England (including Greater Manchester), and Yorkshire and the Humber, while a yellow cold health alert is in place for the rest of England.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "This is the first prolonged cold spell of the season, and it is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions."
Under the weather alerts system introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office, an amber Cold-Health Alert means that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time, with potential for the whole population to be at risk and where other sectors may also start to observe impacts, indicating a coordinated response is required.
Aside from the UKHSA warning, a Met Office yellow weather warning for ice was in place across Greater Manchester on Wednesday (November 19), but this was lifted at 11am, with no further warnings in place across the region. But it will still be very cold, with ice likely on untreated surfaces.
The forecast for north west England on Thursday (November 20) reads: "A chilly start with widespread frost, and ice likely on untreated surfaces. A widely clear and dry day, with little cloud cover allowing plenty of sunny intervals. Feeling cold as brisk northerly winds continue. Maximum temperature 6C."
And then in the evening: "Remaining largely clear and dry, with little cloud cover in the west, however, patchy cloud pushes into eastern parts overnight. Winds easing overnight. Frost will reform under clear skies. Minimum temperature -3C."
The chance of precipitation remains below 5% for most of the day, rising to 10% for a period of time between 3pm and 8pm, but Met Office weather maps do not show any rain or snow above Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester will see highs of 4C and lows of 0C, but it will feel as cold as -4C at times. Wind will peak at around 11am at 25mph, but will remain at around 20mph or below for most of the day.
Friday (November 21) is expected to be similarly cold and clear, with some rain forecast to hit the region by the weekend. The Met Office forecast for north west England for Friday reads: "Another chilly start for many. Staying dry with clear skies and prolonged sunny spells. A return to slightly milder conditions with light winds, feeling pleasant in any sunshine. Maximum temperature 7C."
And then the weekend, north west England will turn "increasingly cloudy", according to the Met Office forecast, which reads: "Turning increasingly cloud and changeable from Saturday, as bands of rain and showers push eastwards across the region. Breezy at times, but feeling milder as temperatures return to near average."
Met Office's UK-wide long range forecast warns of some "strong winds" and "coastal gales" at the end of November and beginning of December. The forecast reads: "Unsettled at first with low pressure, to the east, only very slow clearing. This bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain to many areas, accompanied by strong winds and coastal gales.
"These more unsettled conditions will probably become increasingly confined to the east, whilst showers in the far north are increasingly likely to turn to sleet and snow. A more settled interlude is possible mid-next week, which may be brief or could last a few days, before a trend towards more changeable conditions associated with Atlantic weather systems.
And it finishes: "Towards the end of the period, an increasing chance of more settled spells. Temperatures overall likely to be a little below average, with further overnight frosts in settled spells."