Temperatures are set to plunge towards freezing across Devon this weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold health alert and is warning of significant disruption across health and social care services.
Although the Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice does not impact Devon, the mercury is still expected to drop significantly. The forecaster is expecting the coldest weather to hit the county tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, January 4).
Holsworthy, Okehampton, Moretonhampstead and South Molton will be the chilliest areas with temperatures set to drop to 2C at 4pm. At this time, the mercury will be at 3C in Barnstaple, 4C in Exeter and 4C in Torquay.
As well as the cold temperatures, heavy rain is on the radar tomorrow afternoon. A band of rainfall is set to hit Devon at around 1.30pm before becoming heavier at 4.30pm.
The heavy downpours will then persist across the county throughout the evening and into the night. Into Sunday (January 5), temperatures are expected to increase across Devon.
At 9am, the mercury is set to hit 12C in Okehampton, Barnstaple, Exeter and Torquay. The mild conditions will then last throughout the day with occasional rain showers.
(Image: Met Office)
Amber cold health alert issued
The UKHSA is warning of significant disruption across health and social care services. The amber cold health alert is in place until 12pm next Wednesday (January 8).
During the cold health alert, the UKHSA has warned that health services could be overwhelmed with demand. There may also be transport disruption due to freezing temperatures.
The disruption may include:
- a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
- a likely increase in demand for health services
- temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
- challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
- staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
- other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)