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NEW Year’s Eve revellers have been warned to brace for plummeting temperatures and snow – as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning.
With temperatures falling to around -4C, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned elderly and vulnerable people of the freezing conditions to come.
An amber cold health alert and yellow weather warning has been issued to regions across the north of the UK which is expected to be hit with freezing temperatures and snow.
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.”
An amber cold health alert has been issued for the North East and North West of England which is due to remain in place until noon on January 5, with temperatures expected to fall to 3-5C.
The yellow cold health alerts were issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
Temperatures elsewhere are expected to be 2C higher at 4-6C from New Year’s Day and there is a yellow health alert in place.
A yellow alert means there is the potential for significant impacts.
Britons should expect a bracing start to the new year with health alerts already in place across much of the UK.
The Met Office said the final days of 2025 will not be “particularly fantastic” with temperatures of 7-8C.
The service has also issued a yellow weather warning of snow and ice expected to hit the northern parts of Scotland between 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on January 2.
The Met Office said the yellow warning for snow and ice means “frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption”.
By Friday morning, the Met Office is predicting 2-5cm of snow, with 10cm in certain local areas and 10-20cm in some areas above 200m.
Northern parts of the country are expected to bear the brunt of the chillier conditions from January 1 onwards, with brisk winds bringing increasingly wintry showers to the north as the week progresses.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says an amber alert means the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.
The agency said the UK may also see “impacts on younger people” and there will likely be an “increase in demand for health services” across the regions.
Other 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 said.
It also warned of staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays, and said other sectors, such as transport and energy, could start to see the impacts.
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.”
The Alzheimer’s Society said colder temperatures can be difficult for people with dementia to adjust to and they may not recognise they are cold or be able to communicate it.
The charity has urged people to check in on loved ones, friends and neighbours living with dementia to ensure they are dressed appropriately, in a warm room and eating, drinking and moving regularly.
Making the most of natural daylight, sticking to a routine and encouraging smaller, slower steps in slippery conditions can also help to keep them safe, the charity said.
