Amber Health Alerts Issued as Freezing Temperatures Hit Northern England
Amber cold health alerts have come into force for parts of northern England, with health officials warning that the coming days could lead to a “rise in deaths” among elderly and vulnerable people.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued two amber alerts covering the North East and North West of England. They began at 8pm on Sunday and will remain in place until midday on 5th January. Forecasts suggest temperatures could drop to around -4C in some areas, with wind chill making it feel even colder. Snow is also expected in parts of the North West later this week.
The agency said the cold spell is likely to put extra strain on health and social care services. It warned that low temperatures could cause problems with keeping indoor spaces such as hospitals and care homes at the recommended 18C, increasing risks for those who are already vulnerable. Staffing shortages may also occur due to travel disruption.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to look out for others. “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable,” he said. He added that cold conditions can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for people aged over 65 or with existing health problems.
All other parts of England are under a yellow cold health alert, including the Midlands, London and southern regions. These areas are expected to see daytime temperatures of around 4 to 6C from New Year’s Day, with overnight frost in places.
Forecasters say the end of the year will be chilly rather than extreme, but conditions are expected to worsen as 2026 begins. Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “We're losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country.”
BBC weather forecaster Ben Rich said New Year’s Eve should stay mostly dry for some, but wintry showers and colder air are expected to move in from New Year’s Day. Glasgow could see temperatures fall to -2C, while northern England may feel significantly colder due to strong winds.
The Met Office has also warned of frost and fog overnight, creating “tricky travelling conditions” in some areas. In Scotland, temperatures could fall even further, reaching as low as -6C or -7C in the north.
