UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert saying all parts of England will experience cold weather from 1 a.m. on Monday until midnight on Wednesday. This is confirmed by the Met Office, a spokesperson saying that ‘temperatures will drop markedly’ over the coming days as the nation draws in ‘air from the Arctic’. The freezing Arctic air will bring the coldest day of the year so far to parts of the UK with warnings in place for snow and ice.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: ‘During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can.’
This warning of an Arctic blast comes as England had its driest February in 30 years. The UK saw less than half of its average rainfall for the month, at 45%, with just 43.4mm. Water companies have already expressed their deep worries centred upon the impact of this lack of rain feeding their reservoirs on the demands of Summer 2023.
