UK cold-weather health alerts issued as England faces winter risks

Amber and yellow cold-weather health alerts have already been issued across much of England this winter as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office warn of health risks tied to prolonged cold.

Cold-health alerts run from 1 November through 30 March, with separate heat warnings in place from 1 June through 30 September. The system is designed to reduce illness and deaths during periods of extreme cold and hot weather. In addition to warning the public, alerts are sent directly to NHS England, the government and healthcare professionals, and they include headline weather conditions expected in the coming days, details of how weather conditions will affect each region, and links to additional information, advice and guidance.


Alert levels are based on Met Office forecasts and data, and they range from green to red. Green is the normal level; it signals general preparation guidance on how to respond if temperatures rise or fall. Yellow indicates weather that could affect those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly or people with existing health conditions. Amber signals situations that could potentially put the whole population at risk; the NHS may see increased demand on GPs and ambulances, and travel disruption is likely. Red is the most severe; issued when hot or cold weather would pose a significant risk to life—even for healthy people—and could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure such as power, roads and rail.

Cold weather can influence health in several ways. Flu and other winter illnesses spread more easily in the colder months, and pneumonia is more common after cold spells; the winter vomiting bug norovirus tends to rise as well. University of South Wales professor Damian Bailey described these effects in a BBC Radio 4 Inside Health program. In a demonstration, the temperature in a room dropped from 21C to 10C, and Bailey noted that blood flow to the brain fell, blood pressure and heart rate rose, the temperature of the arms and legs dropped, and puzzle times lengthened. Bailey has said that about 18C is the body's tipping point—below that, the body must work harder to maintain core temperature. When heating is not possible, he suggests wearing gloves, warm socks and a woolly hat, eating a higher-carbohydrate diet and generating more body heat by moving around.


Officials emphasize practical steps for households: keep rooms heated to safe levels, dress in layers, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors during cold snaps. The alert system is designed to reduce illness and deaths by guiding the public and service providers through periods of adverse weather and by signaling when health systems may need to prepare for increased demand.


Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to look out for neighbors who may be at risk as winter continues. By design, the system helps coordinate responses across healthcare and government to mitigate the impact of cold weather on vulnerable populations and essential services.