Severe Cold Weather Prompts Amber Health Alerts in Northern England
Published 28 December 2025
Highlights
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber health alerts for North East and North West England due to severe cold weather.
- Temperatures are expected to drop to -4C, with snow predicted, potentially increasing deaths among the elderly and vulnerable.
- The cold spell is likely to strain healthcare services and affect infrastructure, including transport and energy.
- Yellow cold health alerts are in place for the rest of England, with temperatures expected to fall below freezing.
- Dr. Agostinho Sousa emphasized the importance of checking on vulnerable individuals during this period.
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Rewritten Article
Severe Cold Weather Prompts Amber Health Alerts in Northern England
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber health alerts for the North East and North West of England, warning of severe cold weather conditions that could pose significant health risks to vulnerable populations. The alerts, effective until midday on January 5, highlight the potential for increased mortality rates, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
With temperatures expected to plummet to -4C and snow forecasted in the North West on January 3 and 4, the UKHSA has cautioned that the cold weather could lead to a rise in deaths, especially among individuals over 65 and those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, stressed the importance of checking on friends, family, and neighbors who may be at risk. "The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people," he warned.
Strain on Healthcare and Infrastructure
The cold spell is anticipated to challenge healthcare services, with increased demand from vulnerable groups. Additionally, the UKHSA noted that temperatures inside hospitals and care homes might fall below recommended levels, exacerbating health risks. The Met Office has also predicted that cold northerly winds will dominate, bringing snow showers to coastal areas and potentially causing travel delays and staffing issues in healthcare and other infrastructure sectors.
Wider Weather Warnings Across England
While the North East and North West face the most severe conditions, yellow cold health alerts have been issued for the rest of England, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These regions are expected to experience temperatures dropping to highs of 6C and lows below freezing from New Year's Day.
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Scenario Analysis
As the cold weather persists, the UK could see a significant impact on healthcare services, with increased hospital admissions and potential staffing shortages due to travel disruptions. The situation underscores the importance of community support, particularly for the elderly and those with health vulnerabilities. Looking ahead, experts suggest that such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to climate change, necessitating improved preparedness and response strategies from both health services and infrastructure sectors.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber health alerts for the North East and North West of England, warning of severe cold weather conditions that could pose significant health risks to vulnerable populations. The alerts, effective until midday on January 5, highlight the potential for increased mortality rates, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
With temperatures expected to plummet to -4C and snow forecasted in the North West on January 3 and 4, the UKHSA has cautioned that the cold weather could lead to a rise in deaths, especially among individuals over 65 and those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, stressed the importance of checking on friends, family, and neighbors who may be at risk. "The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people," he warned.
Strain on Healthcare and Infrastructure
The cold spell is anticipated to challenge healthcare services, with increased demand from vulnerable groups. Additionally, the UKHSA noted that temperatures inside hospitals and care homes might fall below recommended levels, exacerbating health risks. The Met Office has also predicted that cold northerly winds will dominate, bringing snow showers to coastal areas and potentially causing travel delays and staffing issues in healthcare and other infrastructure sectors.
Wider Weather Warnings Across England
While the North East and North West face the most severe conditions, yellow cold health alerts have been issued for the rest of England, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These regions are expected to experience temperatures dropping to highs of 6C and lows below freezing from New Year's Day.
What this might mean
As the cold weather persists, the UK could see a significant impact on healthcare services, with increased hospital admissions and potential staffing shortages due to travel disruptions. The situation underscores the importance of community support, particularly for the elderly and those with health vulnerabilities. Looking ahead, experts suggest that such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to climate change, necessitating improved preparedness and response strategies from both health services and infrastructure sectors.
