Met Office issues ice warning for Devon as temperatures plunge tonight

Devon has been hit with an ice warning ahead of plunging temperatures and frosty conditions overnight. The Met Office said temperatures will fall below freezing across the South West, with icy patches forming on untreated road surfaces, which could lead to slips and falls.

The mild autumn weather is well and truly behind us, as the mercury gets lower and lower. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a amber cold weather health alert, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.

A frosty ice weather warning is in place across parts of eastern Devon, from Exeter eastwards. Large parts of the South West, South, South East and Midlands are also including in the warning, which is set to come into effect at 5pm today (Tuesday, November 19) and end at 10am on Wednesday.

The Met Office said: "Rain, sleet and snow will continue to clear southwards across England and Wales with clearing skies to follow. Temperatures are expected to fall below or close to freezing quite widely across the warning area with icy patches forming on untreated freezing surfaces."

Local residents should expect:

• Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
• Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces

It comes after some in the South West saw what was the first snowfall of the season for many. Flakes fell in Bristol and Somerset, but snow was scarcely seen in Devon or Cornwall today as temperatures remained slightly too high to see any of the white stuff.

A cold weather health alert went into effect in the South West at 8am this morning, in preparation of the frosty weather, and is set to last until 6pm on Saturday. Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: "This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk."

The Alzheimer's Society warned that cold weather can be "particularly challenging" for people with dementia. "Colder temperatures can be difficult for a person with dementia to adjust to, and they may not always be able to communicate that they are cold - or they may not even recognise it themselves," the charity said.

It advised the public to check in on loved ones, friends and neighbours living with the condition. Meanwhile, Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be "extra fearful" about turning on their heating this winter.

"With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person's health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses," she said.

"The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia." Ms Abrahams said it is "vital" that older people stay "fit, warm and well if they can" by having hot food and drinks throughout the day, wrapping up warm and sleeping with the windows closed.