Christmas cold weather alert issued in UK as temperatures plummet | Weather | News
A cold weather warning has been issued on Christmas Day as temperatures drop in the UK. The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for wind and disruption is expected.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather warning for the South West region of England. The application will be applied from 18.00 on Thursday, December 25th to 12.00 on Saturday, December 27th. The agency notes that colder temperatures will likely pose a “greater risk to the lives of vulnerable individuals” and lead to “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable individuals.”
Meanwhile, the Met Office is warning of “strong to gusty” winds in South West England and Wales. The yellow weather warning, which started at 04.00 on Christmas morning, will continue until 23.59 tonight.
According to the Met Office, strong and gusty winds blowing from the northeast could cause disruption across the region, including transport delays and possible power outages. The forecaster expects wind speeds to be between 45mph and 55mph, with gusts reaching up to 65mph in some open areas.
The Met Office says: “East to north-east winds throughout Christmas Day will be particularly strong and gusty, with peak gusts of 45-55 mph, but 55-65 mph along some exposed coasts and west of prominent hills.
“Given the unusual direction of the wind, this may cause some disruption to transportation and power supplies. Large waves will pose additional danger on some coasts.”
People in the UK are advised to check road conditions before traveling on Christmas Day. The Met Office also recommends “collecting torches and batteries, mobile phone power supply and other essential items” in case of power outage.
Windy weather led to the cancellation of many swimming events on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in the affected area. The Coverack swim in Cornwall has been postponed until New Year’s Eve, while the Start Bay Inn in Devon has confirmed its Boxing Day swim has been canceled due to rough seas.
