A six-day ‘amber’ cold health alert was today imposed for most of England amid concerns for the elderly and vulnerable.
Temperatures are set to plummet as low as -8C in the North East this week as a blast of Arctic air heading to the UK brings with it heavy frosts, ice and snow showers.
Up to 20cm of snow may accumulate in the worst affected areas as the country experiences its ‘first taste of winter’.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the alert — issued for the first time this year — would be in place until Saturday 23 November.
Officials warned the low temperatures would likely put a strain on the NHS and could increase the risks to patients including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Cold weather can also put people at higher risk of hypothermia, strokes and even heart attacks, experts say.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: ‘This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter.
‘It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.
Pictured, a lorry on a snowy A835 near Loch Dorma in the Scottish Highlands this morning
‘Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.’
The amber alert currently covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
A new alert will be in force from 8am tomorrow for the South East, South West and London.
The UKHSA pointed Brits to its cold weather plan, which recommends having regular contact with vulnerable people.
It also urged people to keep an eye on the weather forecast and ensure they are well stocked with food and medicine.
Icy air can be risky for people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This is because when cold air is inhaled, the airways narrow and the lungs tighten.
This can trigger breathing difficulties, wheezing and coughing, as well as asthma attacks.
Pictured, cars drive through the snow on the A97 near Huntly, Aberdeenshire this morning
Health chiefs advise those at risk to wrap a scarf around their nose and mouth to limit irritation to the airways and asthma attacks.
On top of the cold conditions outdoors, cold and damp weather can raise the risk of mould and damp developing inside homes and buildings, which can also irritate the lungs.
Worryingly, studies also show that heart attacks and strokes are up to twice as likely to happen during cold spells that last four days or more.
This is because the blood vessels narrow in the skin, fingers and toes in response to the cold as the body attempts to preserve heat.
This process, called vasoconstriction, raises blood pressure and heart rate, as the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.
Seasonal viruses, such as flu and RSV, also typically surge in the winter.
This is, in part, because people spend more time socialising indoors and in poorly-ventilated spaces.
This makes it more likely that an infected person will pass the virus on to others.
Pictured, snow and ice at Corgaff, Aberdeenshire today, as the UK braces itself for more snow to fall
But also behind the annual surge in bugs is the cold weather, which suppresses the immune system — increasing the risk of infection and making it harder for the body to fight off an illness, experts say.
This can cause coughs and usually-mild lung conditions to become more serious than they would during the warmer months.
Cold weather is also a major risk factor for hypothermia, which occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it and your body temperature drops below 35C.
Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, meaning the person affected may not be able to think clearly or move well.
This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.
The NHS urges anyone who believes they may be suffering the signs of hypothermia to attend A&E or ring 999.
But do not use a ‘hot bath, hot water bottle or heat lamp to warm’ someone with suspected hypothermia up’ as this may ‘make things worse’, the health service warns.
Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far today — with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland.
Shannon Finlayson uses a broom to clear snow off the windscreen of her car in Inchbae, Wester Ross in Scotland
But 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.
Forecasters predict 5-10cm of snow above 200 metres and 15-20cm above 300 metres. Lower levels could see between 2-10cm of settling snow.
According to the Met Office, last night saw the coldest of the season so far with the mercury recorded at -7.8C in Tulloch Bridge in the West Highland — the lowest temperature seen in the UK since last winter.
In advice issued today by Age UK, director Caroline Abraham urged ‘everyone to take care so they don’t become a victim of the cold’.
She added: ‘Freezing temperatures could also see the NHS, which is already under intense pressure, buckle under the pressure of even higher demand.
‘It is vital that older people stay fit, warm and well if they can.
‘We all have a part to play in this by looking out for the older people around us, especially if they are living with serious health conditions or are short of local support.
‘Having plenty of hot food and drinks throughout the day can help keep the health risks of the cold at bay, as can taking simple precautions such as wrapping up warm when going outside and sleeping with the windows closed at night.’
She said: ‘Now is the time for us all to keep a friendly eye on older relatives, friends and neighbours. Offering to bring in some shopping or pick up medicines from the pharmacy can be a real help.
‘If you are concerned about an older friend or relative, or you are an older person who is worried about paying for food or energy bills, please get in touch with Age UK because help may well be available.’
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
