‘Rise in deaths’ amber warning as Brits see in New Year with Arctic snow showers
A warning for snow and ice has been issued for parts of the UK from New Year’s Day until midnight on January 2, with up to 20cm expected in some areas and temperatures set to plunge
The Met Office has issued a weather warning as parts of the UK brace for heavy snow showers. A yellow alert for snow and ice is in place for regions of Scotland from 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on 2 January.
This follows an amber cold health alert for the north east and north west of England, set to last until midday on 5 January, with temperatures predicted to drop to a chilly 3-5C.
The Met Office warns that the yellow alert signifies “frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption”. By Friday morning, forecasters anticipate 2-5cm of snowfall, with up to 10cm in certain local spots and 10-20cm in areas above 200m.
On the highest routes and hills, accumulations of 30cm or more are expected throughout this period, according to the forecaster.
In the meantime, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber alert, indicating that the weather is “likely” to significantly impact health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.
Elsewhere, temperatures are forecasted to hover around 4-6C from New Year’s Day, with a yellow health alert also in effect.
The Met Office predicts that the final days of 2025 will be less than “particularly fantastic”, with temperatures of 7-8C, but a change is on the horizon as 2026 rolls in.
Northern regions are set to cop the worst of the bitter weather from New Year’s Day, with sharp winds delivering increasingly harsh wintry downpours as the week unfolds.
Weather expert 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.”
The harsh weather and winter dangers will spread more broadly in 2025, with additional alerts for snow and ice expected, the Met Office warned.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway stated: “It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of ‘winter’ as we welcome in the new year, initially in the north, but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026.
“Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds. Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many.
“A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for northern Scotland on New Year’s Day and beyond, where frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption.
“These colder conditions and wintry hazards – snow, ice and strong winds – will develop more widely as we enter the new year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely. It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it’s important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.”
The UKHSA warned the UK could witness “impacts on younger people” alongside a probable “increase in demand for health services” throughout the regions.
Additional consequences encompass “temperatures inside places like hospitals and care homes dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks”, plus “challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people”, the UKHSA stated.
The organisation also cautioned about personnel shortages caused by external circumstances including travel disruptions, noting that other industries like transport and energy might begin experiencing effects.
The body has released a yellow cold health alert covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
A yellow alert indicates there’s potential for considerable consequences.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“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.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, warned pensioners to stay vigilant as the mercury plummets.
She explained: “After a mild start to winter it seems that really cold weather is about to bite, with snow forecast for some parts of the country and bitter temperatures expected everywhere.
“These conditions are potentially hazardous for older people, especially if they are living with serious health conditions like cancer, are already unwell for some other reason or are generally frail.”
The Alzheimer’s Society highlighted that plunging temperatures can prove challenging for dementia sufferers to cope with, as they might not realise they’re cold or struggle to express their discomfort.
The organisation has appealed to people to look out for relatives, mates and neighbours battling dementia, making sure they’re properly clothed, in a heated space and consuming food, fluids and staying active.
Taking advantage of natural sunlight, maintaining daily patterns and promoting cautious, measured movements on icy surfaces can also help protect their wellbeing, the charity advised.
