snow warning as ‘first taste of winter’ bites

Britain’s “first taste of winter” is expected to cause a rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over as temperatures fall below zero and snow begins to fall in northern England and Scotland.

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that vulnerable people and those with existing health conditions could also be at risk during the cold snap.

Temperatures dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, in the Scottish Highlands, in the early hours of Monday. This was the UK’s lowest temperature since last winter, and further low temperatures, ice and snow are forecast.

Daytime temperatures will be in the low single figures for most and on Friday may dip to minus 2C in London, minus 4C in Birmingham and minus 7C further north. Sub-zero windchill is likely, especially in the east, and the Met Office said that up to 20cm of snow could accumulate over high ground in parts of northern England and Scotland.

The Met Office has issued amber cold weather alerts for northern and eastern England and the Midlands. The alerts came into effect on Monday morning and last until Thursday. Amber alerts mean that closures on the roads and rail network, travel delays and powercuts are possible, and there may be a risk to life and property.

Yellow alerts, warning of potential for low-level disruption, are in place for southern England and London from 8am on Tuesday until 6pm on Saturday.

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice cover northern Scotland from 4pm on Monday until 10am on Wednesday, parts of northern England and Wales from 7pm on Monday until 10am on Tuesday and Northern Ireland from 3pm on Monday until 10am on Tuesday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, of the UKHSA, said: “This is the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”

Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “With the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning of snow and ice in some areas this week we are especially worried — the loss of the winter fuel payment has caused many older people to be extra fearful about turning on their heating this winter.

“With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses.

“The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia.”

Abrahams said it was vital that older people stayed “fit, warm and well if they can” by having hot food and drinks throughout the day, wrapping up warm and sleeping with the windows closed.

Nicola Maxey, of the Met Office, said: “It is going to be quite a widely cold week — a few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country. There’s likely to be a widespread frost overnight as we get this colder air coming in from the arctic maritime air mass, cold air from the north pushing down across the country, which will be across the whole country by the middle of the week.”

Dan Suri, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that “disruptive snow” on Tuesday was likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to widespread travel disruption.

Darren Clark, of National Highways, urged drivers to “keep your distance and reduce your speed” in snowy and icy conditions. “Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel,” he said.