grammar - What/such + [indefinite article] + uncountable noun (without an adjective)

I have tried to do a bit of research on the topic, but to no avail. Can uncountable nouns which are not determined by an adjective or a subordinate clause be used with the indefinite article for emphasis?

Which of the cases below are correct (probably both)?

• What patience! What heat!


• What a patience! What a heat!

Now, what I was able to find out. According to MacMillan,

The answer is that while uncountable nouns don’t have plurals (usually, although there are exceptions to that rule too) they can in certain circumstances be preceded by an indefinite article. These circumstances are when you are qualifying or limiting the noun’s meaning in some way.

In these cases provided by MacMillan, the uncountable noun's meaning is definitely limited by an adjective or a subordinate clause:

• Theirs is a love that will be put to the test.


• You’re going to spend your life chasing a happiness that always
  eludes you.



• I want my daughter to develop a healthy respect for danger but not to
  live in fear.

Another example can be found here:

"Table M2.3: Using Indefinite Article" in LSEG4 says: "The indefinite article is used with uncountable nouns in order to suggest the idea of 'a kind of'." (For examples please consult LSEG4.)

and then:

• Jane used to display an extravagant Italian elegance.


• John had an incredible thirst for knowledge.

While it is clear with these cases of use, I wonder to which extent this might also be true speaking of uncountable nouns used without any determination by an adjective or a subordinate clause.

• What patience! What heat!


• What a patience! What a heat!

To me, both variants sound correct. The one with the indefinite article seems to be limiting the meaning of the noun. In other words, we have an omitted (presumed) attributive there: What a [fantastic] patience! What a [terrible] weather!, and that seems to be adding a kind of emotional emphasis. However, I'm not quite sure about that, and I fail to find any reliable sources. So, any hints would be really appreciated.