UK weather: amber cold health alerts issued for northern England

Amber cold health alerts have been issued for northern England amid warnings of sub-zero overnight temperatures this week. The UK Health Security Agency issued amber warnings for north-east and north-west England, and Yorkshire and the Humber. The alerts indicate an “increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases” as well as greater risk of disruptions to roads and public transport. They are in place between noon on Monday and 8am on Saturday, with the rest of England given a less serious yellow warning for the same time period. The Met Office issued its own warnings, with multiple yellow weather alerts for snow and ice affecting parts of Scotland and northern England from Monday to Thursday, and temperatures expected to drop to as low as -10C in places. Its chief forecaster, Paul Gundersen, said scattered showers in the north-east and far north of Scotland could create a risk of icy conditions on roads and pavements. He said: “An area of rain will reach the west of Scotland early on Tuesday morning, with a risk of this turning to snow as it moves inland” across the north. “This period of snow could bring some disruption to travel and infrastructure across higher parts of Scotland,” said Gundersen. He added that by Wednesday, a “strong and very cold northerly flow” would make temperatures feel even colder. Tom Crabtree, a deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said 2-5cm of snow could accumulate in low-lying areas and as much as 5-10cm could fall, with accumulations of 15-20cm possible in higher areas in parts of north-east England and Scotland. Ruth Goss, the senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), warned of the risk the cold could pose for older and vulnerable people. She said it was especially important that those with heart conditions were well prepared this winter by wrapping up warm and having their free flu jab. The BHF advises that anyone who is it risk, such as people over the age of 65 or anyone with cardiovascular diseases, should keep indoor temperatures to at least 18C, wear warm clothing to trap in heat, stay active indoors, wrap a scarf loosely around their mouth and nose to breathe in warmer air if they have angina, as well as eating warming meals and drinking healthy hot drinks.