Cold weather: Amber health alerts issued ahead of snow forecast

Cold Arctic air is sweeping across the UK, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and triggering amber cold weather health alerts. Snow is forecast for much of the country this weekend.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland, with cold weather expected to continue into Monday.

Ice warnings are in effect for Thursday and Friday, following strong winds and heavy rain that caused widespread flooding in the north-west of England.

This drop in temperature marks the end of a mild festive period, which saw temperatures between 11°C and 13°C on Christmas Day.

Temperatures are expected to be about 5°C below the usual early January levels, with wind chill making it feel even colder.

Amber cold weather health alerts are in place across England, although not for the rest of the UK. These alerts are issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) when low temperatures may affect vulnerable people, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions. The alerts serve as a warning to healthcare providers.

A yellow ice warning will be in effect from 17:00 GMT on Thursday to Friday morning for north-west England, western Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as temperatures continue to fall overnight.

Snow is also expected in north-east Scotland, including the Orkney and Shetland Islands, into Friday.

A wider snow and ice warning will be in place from noon on Saturday until midnight, covering most of England (except the south-west) and most of Wales.

Scotland will be under a separate snow warning from midnight on Sunday until noon on Monday.

Saturday is likely to be the coldest day, with temperatures ranging from -1°C to 2°C, along with overnight frosts.

While this colder weather with snow is typical for winter in the UK, Age UK’s director, Caroline Abrahams, has expressed concern that the government’s decision to limit winter fuel payments will affect vulnerable people. The charity has already heard from individuals “worried about what to do.”

She advises older people to take all necessary steps to stay warm, even if it means spending more on heating than they feel comfortable with. “Energy companies have an obligation to assist if you’re struggling, and local councils may offer help. It’s better to ask for support than risk your health,” she said.

The prime minister has previously stated that winter fuel payments should be targeted at those who truly need them, but noted that some pensioners may not require them due to their relative wealth. The policy aims to save £1.5 billion annually.

As a weather system moves towards the UK on Saturday, rain will collide with the colder Arctic air, turning into snow.

Initially, snow will fall in parts of southern England but will quickly change back to rain Saturday night as milder air moves in.

For Wales, the Midlands, and northern England, snow could accumulate up to 5cm at lower levels, with the possibility of freezing rain causing icy conditions.

Over higher ground in parts of Wales and the Pennines, snow could accumulate 20 to 30cm (8 to 12 inches), and strengthening winds may lead to blizzards and drifting snow, potentially bringing snow depths of up to 40cm.

This weather system could cause travel disruption, power outages, and isolation of rural communities.

By Sunday and into Monday, heavy snow will shift to Scotland, with an additional Met Office yellow warning in place, suggesting 2-3cm of snow at low levels and up to 20cm over higher ground.

This setup, with cold air settled over the UK and a rain-bearing weather system moving through from the Atlantic, presents challenges for forecasters. Predicting the exact amount and locations of snow is difficult more than a day in advance, leading to uncertainties in the forecast.

Snow is expected across the Midlands, Wales, and northern England over the weekend.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced on Thursday that no new postcodes had been activated for cold weather payments. These £25 payments are issued to eligible households when the area’s average temperature is, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

Many Britons experienced heavy rain and extensive flooding during their New Year’s celebrations, including Greater Manchester, where a major incident was declared on New Year’s Day.

Flood warnings are still in place across the north-west, and evacuation centers have been set up in Wigan, Stockport, and Ormskirk, Lancashire, to assist those displaced from their homes.

In Cheshire, the banks of the Bridgewater Canal collapsed, flooding surrounding fields at Little Bollington and prompting road closures and evacuations.