UK issues first cold-health alert as temperatures plummet

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 10 Nov, 16:33 · Archive

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold-health alert for the North West and West Midlands from Thursday to Saturday as temperatures drop.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold-health alert for the North West and West Midlands from 9am on Thursday 12 November until 12pm on Saturday 14 November. This is the first such alert of the winter season. Temperatures in the affected regions are predicted to drop to 3 or 4°C, with some parts of the country expected to see frost and cold winds. The Met Office has warned that colder conditions will move into the north by Wednesday, with snow showers expected in northern Scotland overnight on Wednesday into Thursday. Some snow is possible in the far northeast, particularly Shetland, though it may only settle on higher ground.

Cold-health alerts are issued when low temperatures pose a risk to public health, particularly to vulnerable groups. They consider both the weather forecast and the resilience of the health sector. The alerts can refer to situations that are not harmful to most people but may be dangerous to vulnerable populations, or situations that could be risky for certain groups even if the probability is low.

Health experts have highlighted that cold weather can have serious impacts on those aged 65 and over and people with pre-existing health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dr Anya Gopfert, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'This is the first cold-health alert of the winter, but we can expect more as we move further into the season.' She encouraged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours, and to take simple steps such as keeping homes heated where possible and dressing warmly.

Health leaders warn that low temperatures can lead to a spike in the use of health and care services. Experts note that elderly people can find it more difficult to regulate their body temperature and may require additional support to stay safe during colder weather. The alert is currently limited to two English regions, with other areas not yet affected.

How it is being reported

• First cold-heath alert of the winter issued as warning issued for vulnerable BritonsThe first cold health alert of the winter has been issued as vulnerable Britons are warned to brace for plummeting temperatures in the coming days. On Tuesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an alert for the North West and West Midlands regions of England. The cold-health alert will run from 9am on Thursday morning until midday on Saturday. Other English regions remain unaffected at this time. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Cold-health alerts are issued when low temperatures are expected to pose health risks to members of the public. The UKHSA Weather‑Health Alerting system…GB News · 10 Nov, 16:15
• Brits urged to check on elderly as first cold weather health alert of the season issuedYellow cold health warning issued as temperatures plummet towards the end of this week and the UKHSA urges Brits to check on the vulnerableThe Mirror · 10 Nov, 16:01
• Will it snow this week? Here’s what the experts sayTemperatures have plummeted across the UKThe Independent · 10 Nov, 16:00
• First cold health alert of winter issued as UK temperatures to plummetTemperatures are predicted to fall below average by Thursday and FridayThe Independent · 10 Nov, 15:44
• The UK Just Got 2 Cold-Health Alerts As Polar Vortex 'Weakens'The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow Cold-Health Alert for two areas of the UK – their first such alert for winter 2026/27. It comes after some forecasters said that the polar vortex – the powerful winds that contain cold conditions to the Arctic – could weaken unusually early this year (in mid-November), potentially leading to colder UK weather. This year’s super El Niño has already made a chillier, stormier season more likely. However, the Cold-Health Alert wasn’t explicitly linked to either event. Here’s what a yellow cold weather health alert means, as well as where…HuffPost UK · 10 Nov, 14:42

In this story: UK Health Security Agency · North West · West Midlands · Met Office · Scotland · Shetland · Dr Anya Gopfert

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