London faces severe weather with amber alerts as temperatures drop and snow is forecasted for the weekend
London: Health officials are sounding the alarm as temperatures take a nosedive and snow is on the way this weekend. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold-health alert for all of England until midday next Wednesday.
They’re worried that the chilly weather could lead to more people needing medical help, especially those over 65 or with existing health issues. Last night, temperatures in London dropped below zero, making it feel like -4°C this morning, with a high of just 4°C expected.
Over the weekend, two amber weather warnings for snow and ice are in effect for parts of England and Wales. The Met Office has warned that snow and freezing rain will hit most of Wales and central England from Saturday evening to Sunday midday.
In northern England, another snow warning is in place from Saturday night to Sunday midnight. Some areas could see up to 30cm of snow, while others might get 3 to 7cm.
Travel disruptions are likely, with stranded vehicles, delayed trains, and possible power cuts as the UK braces for a week of wintry weather. Rural areas might even get cut off due to heavy snowfall.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA emphasized the importance of checking on vulnerable friends and family during this cold snap, as they could be at higher risk for serious health issues.
An amber alert means that the cold weather could impact the entire health service, and a coordinated response might be necessary. The Met Office has also updated its yellow snow warning for all of England, except the South West, indicating that about 5cm of snow is expected in many areas.
In London, snow could fall during two windows: Saturday evening and late Sunday night into early Monday. Mayor Sadiq Khan has activated emergency protocols to help rough sleepers during this cold spell.
Schools might close, and there’s a chance of power outages and travel delays. The Met Office is keeping a close eye on the situation, as conditions could change rapidly.
Forecasters predict freezing temperatures will stick around, with daytime highs of 4°C and nighttime lows of -2°C. Fresh warnings for ice have also been issued across the UK, particularly in northern and western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Travel could be tricky, especially with icy patches on untreated roads. Meanwhile, a major incident in Greater Manchester due to flooding has been resolved, allowing emergency services to focus on recovery.
