Several regions of the UK will be hit with a cold weather health alert from Sunday evening in some parts of the UK.
The yellow warning means the weather is likely to have a ‘minor’ impact on health and social care services after temperatures dropped below zero in many parts of the country this week.
The UK Health Security Agency UKHSA said the alert will be in place from 9pm on Sunday until 9pm on Thursday.
Which areas are affected?
The areas affected by the health alert are:
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- Northeast England
- Northwest England
- Yorkshire and The Humber
The alerts mean weather conditions could result in an increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to health for vulnerable people.
Paul Coleman, consultant in Public Health at the UKHSA, said: ‘Cold 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, so it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbors who are most vulnerable.’
He said that while this was the latest health alert of the season, there would likely be more to follow this winter.
He recommended that people try to heat the rooms they use the most if possible and dress warmly during colder spells.
During the day, passing showers are forecast to sweep through Wales and southern England, with some possibly thundery in the far southwest, the Met Office said.
Rain will be more persistent for northern England and southern Scotland, with strong winds arriving for north-east coasts in the second part of the day.
Those in northern Scotland and Northern Ireland should experience a brighter and colder day, with showers for some which could be wintry, bringing snow to the hills.
Ethan Douglas, operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said the cold conditions could lead to an ice risk on the roads, causing ‘potentially hazardous travelling conditions’.
He told the Press Association: ‘On Sunday night and Monday morning, there is the potential for some disruptive ice (given the preceding rain and cold night) and snow.
‘The snow risk will be constrained to Scottish hills, bringing difficult driving conditions there.
‘The ice risk may be present more widely across the north of the UK, causing extended journey times and potentially hazardous travelling conditions.’
Cold conditions will continue on Monday with long sunny intervals for most, though approaching cloud will dim the sunshine later, the Met Office said.
Meanwhile, those in the north east of Scotland should brace themselves for further wintry showers.