A health alert has been announced for cold weather across central and northern England. The warning, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), will run from Friday morning through Monday morning, covering the dates of February 13 to 16. It highlights that vulnerable populations may face increased risks, potentially leading to minor impacts on health services due to heightened demand.
Snow and Ice Alerts Issued
In addition to the cold weather health alert, separate snow and ice warnings have been issued for northern England and nearly the entire region of Scotland. The Met Office predicts that areas at higher elevations, specifically those above 300 meters, could receive significant snowfall.
- 1-2 centimeters of snow is likely in many regions.
- 10 centimeters of snow possible in elevated locations.
Weather Forecast
Friday is expected to be particularly cold, with temperatures dropping to around 2°C (35°F) in Manchester and down to 0°C (32°F) in Glasgow under clear conditions. This drop follows a long stretch of mild, wet weather.
Prior to this cold snap, heavy rain is forecasted for Wednesday, with Scotland likely experiencing the most severe conditions. Yellow weather warnings are currently active until midnight, affecting a significant portion of eastern England and parts of the west coast.
- Aberdeen has recorded 180% of its typical February rainfall.
- Kincardineshire reported 152%.
- Angus logged 130% of normal rainfall.
Historical Context
The month of January saw unprecedented rainfall, with 26 weather stations establishing new monthly records. Notably, Northern Ireland experienced its wettest January in 149 years. According to Sky News weather producer Chris England, the anticipated drop in temperatures will be a stark contrast to the recent wet weather conditions.
As the jet stream shifts southward, a northerly airflow is predicted to bring colder, wintry weather to the UK. However, milder conditions are expected to return from the South later in the weekend.
