Eight Day Amber Cold Weather Alert Issued by UK Health Security Agency

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is issued an eight-day amber cold-health alert for Cumbria and across the North with other areas of the UK included in a less severe yellow alert.

The amber cold-health alert has been issued for Cumbria and other parts of the North West by the UKHSA ahead of forecast weather that is likely to cause 'significant impacts across health and social care services'. With the forecast for next week predicting a weather bomb bringing heavy snow and a sharp drop in temperatures across the region.

The cold-health alerts comes into effect today Sunday 28th December at 8pm the alert will remain in place until 12pm on Monday 5th January 2026.

The amber alert for the area has been issued ahead of weather conditions that could cause a 'rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions' and a 'likely increase in demand for health services'.

The UKHSA said that it expects temperatures to drop and warned of 'challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people'.

Writing on the government's website, the UKHSA said: "Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services."

The UKHSA say the potential risks associated with the alert and expected cold weather are:

a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups

a likely increase in demand for health services

temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks

challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people

staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)

other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

Current UKHSA Cold Weather alert map can be viewed at ukhsa site