UK weather: Britain set for cold start to 2026 with amber health alert issued
Brits are being urged to get the new year off to a chilly start as numerous cold weather warnings have been issued.
A yellow health warning is in place in the North East and North West from 20:00 on Sunday until 12:00 on 5 January 2026. Temperatures in these areas are expected to drop to around 3 to 5C during the day, but could reach -3C overnight and -7C in parts of Scotland.
A stormy and cold start to 2026 is expected, with “winter showers” expected in the north of England from the start of the year.
The Met Office’s Dan Stroud said: “We’re losing these types of stable but cold conditions and introducing a slightly more showery environment with greater wintry danger, particularly for the north of the country.”
The forecaster said the final days of 2025 won’t be “particularly fantastic” with temperatures of 7 to 8 degrees, but things will change come 2026.
There are currently no weather warnings in place from the Met Office. Cold weather warnings issued by the UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) mean the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts on health and social care services, including an “increase in deaths” among people with underlying health conditions or those aged 65 and over.
The UKHSA said England could also see “impacts on young people” and that “demand for healthcare services is likely to increase” across regions.
Other impacts include “temperatures in places such as hospitals and care homes falling below recommended levels to assess health risks” and “challenges to keep indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to greater risks for vulnerable people”, the UKHSA said.
He also warned of staffing issues caused by external factors such as travel delays and said other sectors such as transportation and energy could also begin to see impacts.
The agency has also issued a yellow cold health warning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber and London.
In regions where a yellow health alert has been issued, temperatures are expected to drop to around 4 to 6 degrees starting from the new year.
UKHSA’s head of extreme events and health protection, Dr. Agostinho Sousa said: “As cold weather sets in, it is vital to check on your most vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
“The predicted temperatures could have a serious impact on some people’s health and lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and chest infection, particularly for people over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
