The Met Office has warned over a dramatic weather shift for the first time in 15 years. The UK faces the coldest January night for 15 years on Thursday, according to Met Office data, as temperatures could drop to -16C with snow and sleet battering the country.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
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“Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,” said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson. “Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.”
“Much of the UK is seeing a much drier day and some bright conditions away from coasts,” the Met Office’s Oli Claydon said on Wednesday. “In those flood-affected areas it is a much better, drier picture.” He said: “Certainly by the end of the weekend we’re moving to a milder air mass and it’ll slowly get introduced across the UK through Sunday.”
“By Monday, the UK will broadly be in a milder air mass and we’ll see some rain moving in from the north west into parts of western Scotland and potentially Northern Ireland as well.”