Brits face teeth-chattering begin to 2026 as amber chilly well being alert issued
Health chiefs have warned of dangerous drops in temperatures for hospitals and care homes and a potential rise in deaths, with Brits urged to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours
Brits are set to shiver through a teeth-chattering start to the new year, with an amber health alert ringing alarm bells across parts of the UK. Weather boffins have said conditions will nosedive as we welcome in 2026, while health chiefs have warned of dangerous drops in temperatures for hospitals and care homes and a potential rise in deaths.
The north of the UK is set to cop the worst of the icy conditions from New Year’s Day onwards. Met Office weather guru Dan Stroud explained: “We’re losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country.”
An amber cold health alert has been slapped on the North East and North West of England from 8pm on Sunday to 12pm on January 5, with temperatures expected to plunge to a chilly 3-5C.
The The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that the freezing weather is “likely” to wreak havoc on health and social care services, including a grim “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.
The agency also cautioned that the UK may see “impacts on younger people” and predicted a surge in demand for health services across the affected regions.
Other chilling impacts include “temperatures inside places like hospitals and care homes dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks” and “challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people”, the UKHSA warned.
The agency also flagged up potential staffing issues due to external factors like travel disruptions, and hinted that other sectors such as transport and energy could start feeling the pinch.
A yellow cold health alert has been issued by the agency for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
From New Year’s Day, temperatures in areas under the yellow health alert are predicted to drop to 4-6C.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, who heads up extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”
He warned: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
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