Cold weather health alert issued - as Met Office warns of incoming snow and ice

A four-day health alert for cold weather has been issued for central and northern England.

It warns that vulnerable people could be at greater risk and possible "minor impacts" on health services due to increased demand.

The alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) runs from Friday morning to Monday morning (13-16 February).

The agency generally only issues warnings for England - but separate snow and ice alerts are also in force on Thursday and Friday for northern England and virtually the whole of Scotland.

One to two centimetres of snow is widely likely, according to the Met Office, but some places above 300m could get as much as 10cm.

Friday is set to be the chilliest day, with around 2C (35F) forecast for the morning commute in Manchester and 0C (32F) under clear skies in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, more heavy rain is also forecast for Wednesday, with Scotland set to get the worst of it. Yellow warnings are in force until midnight for a large slice of the east of the country and part of the west coast.

Aberdeen has already received 180% of its typical February rainfall, Kincardineshire 152%, and Angus 130%.

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The start to 2026 has brought seemingly relentless rain due to a "blocking pattern" and 26 weather stations have set new monthly records for January, according to the Met Office.

Northern Ireland also endured its wettest January in 149 years.

Sky News weather producer Chris England said the incoming dip in temperatures would "come as something of a shock after the long mild, wet spell".

"The jet stream, which guides our weather systems, will move briefly south to end the week, allowing an increasingly northerly flow, bringing more wintry conditions," said England.

However, he added that milder conditions should spread from the South later in the weekend.

(c) Sky News 2026: Cold weather health alert issued - as Met Office warns of incoming snow and ice