Cold weather health alert issued across much of UK as temperatures fall to -4C

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold weather health alert for Friday–Monday, and the Met Office forecasts sub-zero temperatures with lows around -4C in parts of Scotland while multiple warnings for rain, snow, ice and flooding remain in force.

Large parts of the UK are under a cold weather health alert this week as temperatures are expected to fall below zero in places. The UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow alert covering Friday to Monday. The Met Office reports an Arctic Maritime airmass moving south and forecasts overnight sub-zero temperatures and snow on higher ground. Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency warnings and alerts for flooding and heavy rain are also active in affected areas. What is known: - The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold weather health alert effective Friday through Monday. - The Met Office forecasts sub-zero overnight temperatures, with snow possible on low ground in places and hill accumulations up to about 10 cm above 300 metres; Cumnock, East Ayrshire is forecast to reach around −4°C. - The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have multiple flood warnings and alerts in place following recent heavy rainfall and several new monthly and daily rainfall records. Summary: The alerts indicate increased risk for vulnerable people and possible impacts on health and social care services and local travel. The Met Office says the colder spell is likely to be brief, with longer-range indications for a return to more Atlantic-influenced conditions later in the weekend. Monitoring by the agencies and forecasters is ongoing.