Cold weather alert issued by UKHSA

Regular updates on cold weather and how to stay well during low temperatures.

From:

UK Health Security Agency

Latest update

Cold weather alert extended to cover 6 regions of England.

With cold weather becoming established across several regions of the country through the first part of the week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is encouraging people to look out for those most at risk.

The Met Office is warning that the North East of England, North West of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England regions will likely experience cold weather from today until midday Thursday 23 December.

Agostinho Sousa, a Consultant in Public Health Medicine at

 UKHSA, said:

Cold weather can have a serious impact, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

It’s really important to keep checking on older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or those who have serious illness. Remind them to heat their home to at least 18 Celsius, 64.4 Fahrenheit. It’s also helpful to check they have enough food and drinks and any medicines they need.

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Dan Suri, said:

Cold and mostly dry conditions with overnight frosts will persist through the early part of this week with high pressure nearby. Milder but more unsettled conditions will then spread across England and Wales during the mid-week period, potentially preceded by some hill snow over northern England.

To check the latest weather forecast updates visit the Met Office website or app.

UKHSA has supplemented the Cold Weather Plan for England with useful resources and advice on the concurrent risks of cold weather and COVID-19 and Keep Warm Keep Well guidance.

For people struggling to afford heating bills, Simple Energy Advice provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants that are available to help keep you warm this winter.

If people can’t heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep. Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer. Having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm.