ST HELENS will see temperatures hit freezing as a period of cold weather is set to bite over the coming days.

Residents have enjoyed relatively mild conditions for much of this month so far.

However, the temperatures are set to drop later this week.

Wednesday will see a high of 8°C but temperatures are expected to feel like just 2°C by the late afternoon from 5pm.

And thermometers are expected to drop to freezing 0°C overnight from Wednesday into Thursday.

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Meanwhile, Thursday is set to be even colder with a top of 4°C and set to feel like minus figures during the evening, while at 1°C from around 6pm.

And there will be minus figures during Thursday night into Friday.

Meanwhile, Friday will see the mercury rise slightly back up to 7°C with a low of 4°C, with these temperatures expected to continue over the weekend.

Here is the outlook for the north west:

Wednesday:

Cloudy and damp first thing but turning brighter and colder throughout the day. Long lived sunshine by the afternoon across the region but feeling cold in a northwesterly breeze. Maximum temperature 5 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

A bright but cold day on Thursday with a frosty start. Another cold start on Friday but much cloudier throughout the day. Breezier and cloudy on Saturday with some rain.