An amber cold health alert has been issued across the South West. The alert is in place until 12pm next Wednesday (January 8) and the The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning of significant disruption across health and social care services.
The latest alert comes after the Met Office issued a yellow snow and ice warning for Bristol, Gloucestershire and parts of Somerset this weekend. The warning is in place from 12pm on Saturday (January 4) until 11.59pm on Sunday.
During the cold health alert, the UKHSA has warned that health services could be overwhelmed with demand. There may also be transport disruption due to freezing temperatures.
The disruption may include:
- a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
- a likely increase in demand for health services
- temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
- challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
- staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
- other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)
Meanwhile, the Met Office is warning of heavy snow and freezing rain in places. The forecaster is urging people to be careful on icy surfaces, including while driving on roads.
The Met Office said: “Outbreaks of rain spreading progressively northeastwards later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday will likely be preceded by a spell of snow on its northern flank. Whilst there is some uncertainty, any snow in southern and eastern parts of England, especially at low levels, will probably be rather transient before turning back to rain.
“However, some significant accumulations of snow are possible across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England in particular, at least for a time, where 5 cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with perhaps as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of mid and north Wales and potentially 30-40 cm over parts of the Pennines. This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow.
“In addition, as milder air moves northwards, snow may turn to a spell of freezing rain for a time, again more especially across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places. A fairly rapid thaw of lying snow is possible later on Sunday, although exactly how far north the rapid thaw will reach remains uncertain at this stage.”
Five-day Met Office forecast for South West England
Today:
Some frost and patchy cloud first thing, then a cold day with plenty of sunshine developing. The odd shower is possible in Cornwall and west Devon, these possibly wintry over higher ground. A cold breeze. Quickly turning frosty after dark. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Tonight:
Clear skies and light winds will allow for a very cold night with a widespread sharp frost and perhaps some ice in places. Isolated wintry flurries may clip western Cornwall. Minimum temperature -5 °C.
Friday:
A cold, crisp and frosty start to the day with plenty of sunshine. Patchy cloud developing but staying dry with lengthy sunny periods. Winds staying light but remaining cold. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Mostly dry to begin Saturday but rain arriving later, perhaps preceded by snow in places. Probably turning milder into Sunday with rain at times. Becoming drier and colder on Monday.