Winter has well and truly arrived as the county braces itself for a week of icy temperatures.

Yesterday (December 5) the UK Health Security Agency issued a Level 3 warning for “severe” cold weather covering all of England from 6pm on Wednesday (December 7) evening through to 9am on Monday (December 12).

READ MORE: Oxfordshire weather: Level 3 alert for ‘severe cold’ issued

The weather will take a chilly turn due to an arctic maritime airmass which will push across the UK from the north, bringing some cold days, overnight frosts and a risk of wintry showers and snow.

The Met Office states there is a 90 per cent chance of “severe cold weather and icy conditions” between Wednesday and Monday which pose health risks to vulnerable people.

The forecast:

Today:

A largely fine day with any early cloud or fog lifting and breaking to give some sunny spells.

Becoming cloudier later on. Staying rather cold, especially in the northerly breeze.

Maximum temperature 7°C.

Tonight:

Cloudy across most of the region with light winds, apart from the brisk northerly breeze affecting Kent.

Perhaps the odd frost or fog patch forming towards dawn. Minimum temperature 1°C.

Wednesday:

A dry but rather cloudy day everywhere.

The best of any brighter spells is likely in the south or west. Perhaps an isolated shower along the Kent coast.

Light winds. Maximum temperature 6°C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Very cold, especially overnight with widespread frosts.

Often sunny, however daytime temperatures remaining low.

Remaining dry for most, but any isolated showers brings a risk of icy patches, especially Saturday.

How cold will it get?

In Oxfordshire, the coldest days will be on Thursday (December 8) and Friday (December 8).

On both these days, the minimum temperature will be a chilly -4°C.

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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