Amber cold weather alert issued for most of UK ahead of arrival of snow and ice this weekend
Temperatures are dropping across the UK as cold, Arctic air spreads, with an amber cold weather health alert in place for much of the country before a weekend of snow and ice.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the cold weather set to continue into next week.
Temperatures in East and North Yorkshire are due to reach lows of -2C on Friday with wind chill making it feel like -8C.
The whole of England is under an amber cold health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency. Expected low temperatures are likely to result in increased use of health care services by vulnerable people and an increase in risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and over, those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and some other vulnerable groups, such as those sleeping rough.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “The forecasted temperatures 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 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.”
