UKHSA issues rare Amber alert for cold weather - full list of regions impacted

The UKHSA has issued a rare Amber cold weather alert for parts of the country as temperatures have started dropping below freezing with the first snow of the season falling

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a rare Amber alert for cold weather across a number of regions as temperatures drop to freezing conditions.

The alert, which is in force from 10am today until 6pm on Saturday, covers the North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England. A Yellow alert for cold weather has also been issued across London, the South East and the South West – and is also in force until Saturday.

The UKHSA has said cold weather conditions are likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, putting vulnerable people at risk. Health experts have warned that there could be a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or people with health conditions.

This is also likely to cause an increase in demand for health services, putting pressure on the NHS. Earlier today we reported that the first snow of the season has fallen on the UK as a yellow weather warnings remain in place for several parts of the country.

Yesterday, the Met Office updated its severe weather warning – putting people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on high alert as icy conditions, plummeting temperatures, and the white stuff are expected to grip the UK. The national forecaster says the affected area could stretch even further south, with southern England to be blasted with a helping of snowfall.

The yellow warnings were issued at around 4pm Sunday for Britain and will remain in place until Tuesday morning at around 10am. As the weather approaches freezing, people are being told to expect dangerous roads and paths and risks of power cuts and travel disruption.

Due to the Amber and Yellow cold weather alerts, the UKHSA has urged healthcare providers to plan ahead so thay they can still assist patients with anything they need amid severe conditions. Here is the full list of areas covered by the weather alerts.