The UK health security agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for England, as temperatures were expected to plunge to -10C in some places with possible wintry showers and snow.
The severe conditions, brought by an Arctic maritime airmass and expected to start on Wednesday evening and last until Monday 12 December, could lead to disruption and increased health risks for vulnerable people.
The level 3 alert, which requires social and healthcare services to take action to protect high-risk groups, comes as temperatures are expected to drop across much of the UK late on Wednesday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, a consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: “Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. In rooms you mostly use, such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”
Erika Radford, the head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said many people would struggle to heat their homes that high, adding that 45% of respondents in a recent survey by the charity said they were expecting to turn off their heating altogether to cope with the rising cost of living.
“This is a concern as respiratory infections can thrive in colder temperatures and poorly ventilated, damp environments. Long-term exposure to colder temperatures and mould can also affect our immune response, hampering the body’s ability to fight off respiratory infections,” she said.
“Winter is already a deadly time for people with lung conditions and the last thing we want to see is more people being rushed to hospital fighting for breath because of exposure to the cold. We are urging the government to step up for people with lung conditions and introduce more targeted support to help people keep their homes warm this winter.”
Dr Tammy Boyce, a senior research associate at the Institute of Health Equity, which is based at University College London, also raised concerns about the effects of the cold snap combined with fuel poverty.
“This has impacts not only on the NHS, but on schools as well. Imagine being a teacher where many of the children you’re teaching haven’t had a good night’s sleep because they’re cold, or they haven’t been able to eat because their parents have had to pay for a prepayment meter for the heating,” she said.
“The support that has been offered by the government to address the energy price increases is very welcome, but it’s simply not adequate.”
Temperatures are expected to stay well below average for the time of year into next week.
The Met Office warned of very cold nights with “widespread frosts” and said from midweek in many places temperatures would be “struggling to get above freezing”.
Wintry showers are predicted to affect some coastal areas and could reach some inland areas, bringing icy patches.
Rebekah Sherwin, a Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Temperatures will start to dip this week, with daytime temperatures struggling to get above freezing in many places from midweek onwards. However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells in many areas, particularly away from the coast. Showers will turn more wintry as the week goes on with a risk of snow at times.”
The Met Office has issued a yellow national severe-weather warning for snow for Wednesday in northern Scotland. But wintry showers could also drift southwards, Sherwin added.
“We can expect to see some snow and wintry showers farther south as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground. There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week.”
The RAC advised drivers to ensure their vehicles were “winter ready”, after an unusually mild autumn, by checking tyres and batteries.
