An amber cold weather warning is in effect for the North East and North West of England from 8pm on Sunday until noon on 5 January 2026. Daytime temperatures in these regions are expected to reach 3 to 5C, with overnight lows dropping to around -3C and as low as -7C in parts of Scotland.
Wintry showers are also forecast across the north of England from New Year’s Day, signalling a blustery and cold start to the year.
Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said:
“We’re losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country.”
He added that the final days of 2025 will see relatively mild temperatures of 7 to 8C, before conditions turn colder in 2026.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlighted the risks posed by the cold, saying that the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts on health and social care services, particularly for those aged 65 or over and people with pre-existing health conditions. There may also be effects on younger people, with an expected increase in demand for health services across the affected regions.
The amber alert warns that indoor temperatures in hospitals and care homes may fall below recommended levels, posing additional risks to vulnerable populations. Staffing and operational challenges may arise due to travel disruptions, while other sectors such as transport and energy could also be affected.
In addition, UKHSA has issued yellow cold weather alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. Temperatures in these areas are forecast to drop to 4 to 6C from New Year’s Day.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours:
“The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Residents are being encouraged to take precautions to stay warm and safe as the country begins 2026 with colder, wintry conditions.
