Cold freeze as drivers return to work

Police issued a weather warning for motorists in Northern Ireland yesterday morning, advising drivers to exercise “extreme caution” on the Glenshane Pass road between Londonderry and Belfast.

Sub-zero temperatures gripped the UK overnight, dipping as low as -4C (24.8F) to -6C (21.2F) in central and southern England, the Met Office said.

The forecaster has issued a “yellow” weather alert for ice across parts of southern England, warning some roads could become “hazardous”.

Many are likely to open their curtains to a frosty scene before the day will become dry and cloudy for many, a spokeswoman added.

The Met Office said in its warning: “Please be aware that untreated surfaces, such as pavements and some minor roads, are likely to turn very slippery later Monday night and on Tuesday morning. A few freezing fog patches are also possible.

“A very cold night is in store and as moister air comes in contact with cold surfaces later, the potential is for a lot of frost to form, rendering some surfaces hazardous.”

The warning is in place until 10am today.