An amber cold weather health alert has been extended until Tuesday by the UK Health Security Agency.
Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until Tuesday, January 14, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the agency said.
The warning comes after the UK had its coldest January night for 15 years. On Friday the temperature dropped to minus 18.7 in Altnaharra, a hamlet in the Scottish Highlands.
Today, Sunday, will see an east/west divide with a maximum of 3C or 4C in the east, while the west could see between 7C and 8C or potentially 9C.
The amber cold weather alert alert covers Yorkshire and the rest of England.
View from Scapegoat Hill in January 2025
(Image: Belle Vue Barn)
The Agency said: “Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:
- 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)
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.”
The Met Office is forecasting the possibility of a frosty night tonight and icy stretches, with a minimum temperature of 1C.
Monday will be cloudier and rather windy. The maximum temperature will be 6C.
The outlook for Tuesday to Thursday will is “cloudy at times across the Pennines with some patchy light rain. Brighter in east with sunny or clear spells. Temperatures near or rather above normal with a noticeable southwesterly breeze.”
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