Health chiefs issue rare amber alert for cold weather as temperatures set to plummet

18 November 2024, 13:35 | Updated: 18 November 2024, 14:07

A rare amber health alert for cold weather has been issued for parts of the UK as temperatures are set to plummet.

The alert applies to the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The alert - which is the first of the season - will be in place from 10am Monday until 6pm on Saturday, confirmed the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The UKHSA said the weather is “likely to cause significant impacts across the health and social care services”.

It warned that younger age groups could also be affected and that temperatures in hospitals and care homes could drop ‘below the recommended levels’ for patient assessments.

The Met Office issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of the UK and will likely issue further alerts.

Temperatures dropped to -7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, in the early hours of Monday - the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.

Snow dusted grounds across Scotland, including at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar and at Corgarff, both in Aberdeenshire, as well as alongside the A939 near The Lecht in the Cairngorms.

Snow also blanketed the mountain of Ingleborough, while frost covered berries in bushes near Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales.

Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far on Monday - with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland.

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'First taste of winter'

Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country's "first taste of winter".

Age UK warned that the conditions could be dangerous for older people.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Bad weather may make it difficult for people to get out for essential shopping or medical appointments, so we’d urge everyone to check in on older family, friends and neighbours to find out if they need any extra support.”

The Met Office has already issued two separate yellow severe weather warnings for snow and ice – telling the public to get their “jumpers, hats and gloves at the ready.”

It is likely that the tumbling temperatures and hazardous conditions caused by snow and ice could add pressure to health services.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.

"Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”