Cold weather health alert extended for England as -20C forecast
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Officials say impact of freezing temperatures likely to be felt across health service and amber alert to stay until Tuesday. An England-wide amber health alert has been extended to Tuesday as temperatures are expected to continue to fall over the weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency extended the alert, which was previously in place until Sunday, meaning that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. “This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable,” the agency said.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”. Separately, yellow warnings for ice issued by the Met Office are in place in much of the south-west and Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland, as well as the east coast of England stretching from Northumberland to Essex. The warnings expire late morning on Friday.
Liam Eslick, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “It’s going to be another cold couple of days, and recovering into the early part of next week. “Anywhere across the UK is likely to see those temperatures dipping below freezing and likely to see quite severe frost and ice to form overnight tonight.”.
