ARCTIC BLAST HEALTH ALERT
Vulnerable and elderly warned as temperatures fall
WINTER will roar in this weekend with freezing temperatures and snow sparking the first health alert of the season.
Arctic winds will sweep the country from today bringing the coldest spell of weather so far.
Temperatures will plunge to minus 6C (21F) next week, although it could feel close to minus 9C in exposed regions.
Further snow is on the way for Scotland and the North but wintry showers could happen anywhere, forecasters warn.
The Government last night issued a level-2 cold weather warning across northern England, urging elderly and vulnerable people to take extra care over the coming days.
Health officials asked people to watch out for friends and neighbours. Dr Thomas Waite, of the extreme events team at Public Health England, said: “There are people who may not
take precautions and who are at very real risk.
“We know that every winter thousands of people fall ill and many die because of exposure to cold, both in the home and while outdoors.
“Those most at risk include older people, very young children and those with conditions such as heart and lung disease.”
A level-2 alert is for severe winter weather while the highest category, level-4, is for a major incident.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We are going into a colder period thanks to a northerly flow bringing Polar maritime air into Britain. This will bring temperatures down and we expect further snowfall over high ground, although wintry showers are really possible anywhere now.
“Conditions will remain very chilly over the weekend and the cold will dominate next week after a brief respite on Monday when temperatures will lift. It is possible that this weekend will bring the coldest spell of weather since last winter.”
Scotland and the far North could see up to two inches of snow on low ground. Mr Madge added: “Winds will add to the chill making it feel even colder. We expect grass and air frosts with overnight temperatures dropping to freezing or below quite widely through next week.”
Ladbrokes has odds of 3-1 on snow in London this weekend. Exacta Weather’s James Madden warned this winter is shaping up to be the worst since 2010/11.
He said: “There are likely to be heavy snow showers in Scotland and the North and these could start moving further south. Anywhere could see some moderate snow which is likely to settle and our forecasts are indicating a higher than normal possibility of a White Christmas in places. This winter, on current indications, could turn out to be the coldest since 2010.”
A Weather Outlook spokesman said: “Cold weather will become established in the coming days. Next week is looking wintry and the risk of snow could extend south. Accumulating snow is likely over high ground in the West and at lower levels in the North.”
There is enough salt to keep roads open this winter, council chiefs said last night. A Local Government Association survey revealed 1.5 million tons are stockpiled.