Amber health alert issued for cold weather in six regions of UK including West Midlands

A cold weather health alert has been issued for many parts of the UK, including the West Midlands. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) put out an amber alert for six regions and a yellow alert for three others

The warnings are in force from 10am on Monday, November 18, until 6pm on Saturday, November 23. The amber alert covers the West Midlands, East Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, and the East of England. The yellow alert is for London, the South East and the South West and is also in effect until Saturday.

The alerts come as snow has fallen across parts of the UK after the coldest night of the season so far. Temperatures dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, in the early hours of Monday, which is the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.

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Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country's "first taste of winter." Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far on Monday – with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland - and more snow and ice is expected over the coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.

"It is going to be quite a widely cold week," Ms Maxey said. "A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country." It is predicted temperatures could drop to minus 2C in London on Friday, minus 4C in Birmingham and minus 7C further north.

An amber alert means the weather that's been forecast is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. It could also mean a likely increase in demand for health services; temperatures inside hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the recommended levels; and difficulties keeping indoor temperatures at 18C which will put more vulnerable people at risk.

Other impacts could include staffing problems due to travel delays, along with issues for the transport and energy sectors.

The yellow alerts mean minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life for those in this category.

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