Cold weather alerts and severe weather guidance

There is an amber cold health alert for London in effect from 12 noon on Thursday 9 January until 9am on Tuesday 14 January across London.

General overview of weather conditions in relation to the hazard (Cold) next 5 days

A milder week compared to last week with winds blowing from the south or southwest. A lot of cloud through the week which will stop night-time temperatures from falling too low. Greatest doubt in forecast is extent of mid-week cloud breaks which will give a risk of overnight frosts and slow-to-clear daytime fog for some areas of England. Perhaps more cloudy again to end the week. A lot of dry weather through the week after rather rainy day across Northwest England on Monday. Lying snow thawing steadily next couple of days.

Forecast weather is likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services, including:

• a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
• a likely increase in demand for health services
• temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
• challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
• staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
• other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

You can see all the weather health alerts currently in place across England on the UKHSA data dashboard.

Keep informed

Met Office: Check the latest weather or follow the Met Office on Twitter

During the cold weather, staff and managers are advised to take care and responsibility of their own and their pupils health, safety and welfare.

Reminders for schools

Schools are reminded:

• To follow practical guidance on severe winter weather
• That it is their statutory duty to report school closures
• To monitor check the weather forecast for London and the South East (Met Office) during the winter months
• To report a suspected outbreak of infectious and contagious diseases to the relevant authorities
• That those with certain medical conditions, e.g. asthma, diabetes, who are more at risk, can get free flu vaccinations from their GP or from some pharmacies. GPs and pharmacies will charge those not in the ‘at risk’ group a small fee for the jab.