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Health alert still in force as cold weather set to continue

26 Dec 2025, 11:16 · Sky News

Cold temperatures are set to continue beyond Boxing Day - with a health alert still in force for parts of the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold health alert, which lasts until noon on 27 December for southwest England.

It comes as beachgoers have been urged not to swim, with two men in their 40s and 60s still missing after getting into difficulty off the coast of Devon on Christmas Day.

Low temperatures are likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services, including "increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people" and a "greater risk to life of vulnerable people", the UKHSA said.

Image: Cold weather. Pic: Reuters

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Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said: "Boxing Day we're going to see some good spells of sunshine, we will see a little in the way of cloud for the South and North West, some light rain, but for the vast majority it's going to be dry," she said.

"While it will still be breezy, it won't be as windy as Christmas Day.

"It's still going to feel chilly, top temperatures between 6-7C, in the south it's going to feel closer to 4-5C.

"A low chance of snow, it's not expected at all."

The weather will be similar on Saturday and Sunday, Ms Hutin said, adding drizzle may occur where the cloud is thicker, and it will stay fairly breezy.

Temperatures will be around average, between 6-7C.

Ms Hutin said: "It's good news for people who have got the week off and want to go on walks."

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On Christmas Day, emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am following reports of people in the water. Two men remain missing at sea.

Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled.

"While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to."