The United Kingdom has been gripped by a spell of cold, blustery weather this festive season, as a yellow cold health alert and strong wind warnings have been issued for much of the country. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have both sounded the alarm, urging caution among residents—especially the most vulnerable—as temperatures plummet, winds whip up, and the risk of health impacts and disruption rises.
According to the UKHSA, the yellow cold health alert is in effect for south-west England from 6pm on December 25, 2025, and will last until noon on December 27. This alert warns that low temperatures could have minor but important impacts on health and social care services, with “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people” and a “greater risk to life of vulnerable people.” The agency has highlighted that those most at risk—such as the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, and people experiencing homelessness—should take extra care during this period.
The Met Office, meanwhile, has issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Christmas Day, covering south-west England, Somerset, and a large swathe of Wales. Gusts were recorded as high as 68mph at Berry Head, Torbay, early on December 25, and winds of 43mph and 49mph were observed at Plymouth and Liscombe, Exmoor, respectively. The Met Office stated, “East to north-easterly winds are expected to become particularly strong and gusty during Christmas Day, with peak gusts fairly widely of 45-55mph, but 55-65mph possible along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.” These unusual wind directions have the potential to cause “some disruption to transport and power supplies,” and “large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”
Despite the dramatic weather, hopes for a white Christmas were dashed for most of the UK. Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon told the Press Association, “The prospect of a white Christmas across Britain this year was highly unlikely. We've got a very dry picture across the UK over the next few days.” The only exception was the crown dependency of Jersey, which saw snow at its airport at about 4:45am on Christmas Day. The Jersey Met Section noted it was only the third time since records began that snow fell on Christmas Day there, and the first since 1970.
Temperatures on Christmas morning ranged between 1°C and 4°C for most of south-west England, “feeling below freezing due to the wind chill,” according to BBC Weather’s Matt Taylor. The highest temperatures on Christmas Day were forecast to be around 7°C in north-east England and 6°C in southern and south-eastern England. Frost and freezing temperatures were likely in western rural areas overnight, with lows possibly reaching minus 6°C in rural Scotland and minus 4°C in rural Wales. These chilly conditions are expected to continue, with Boxing Day and the following weekend bringing similar weather: top temperatures between 6-7°C, some sunshine, patches of light rain, and ongoing breezes. “It’s still going to feel chilly, top temperatures between 6-7C, in the south it’s going to feel closer to 4-5C. A low chance of snow, it’s not expected at all,” said Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin.
The cold snap has brought not only meteorological challenges but also real-world consequences. Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a stark warning against sea swimming on Boxing Day, following a tragic incident on Christmas morning when two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, went missing in the water off a beach in Devon. The search for the missing men was called off on the evening of December 25. Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar from Devon and Cornwall Police commented, “Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton. There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled. We urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to.”
Indeed, the weather has forced the cancellation or postponement of several traditional Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall. Organisers of the Coverack swim in Cornwall, for instance, said it would be “too dangerous” for the event to go ahead and postponed it until New Year's Day. The Start Bay Inn in Devon also announced the cancellation of its Boxing Day swim, while the RNLI in Teignmouth echoed the sentiment, stating, “safety considerations must come first.”
Not all festive swims were halted, however. Around 400 hardy swimmers braved the cold waters at The Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park on Christmas Day, with about 100 competing in the annual Peter Pan Cup race. Dave Bill, this year’s winner, told the BBC it was “a real honour” to take home the trophy, adding, “Swimming in the cold water is one of the most rewarding things. It calms my nervous system.”
Travelers have also felt the effects of the weather. The RAC predicted that festive car journeys would peak on Christmas Eve, with an estimated 4.2 million trips expected. An RAC spokesperson warned, “Traffic is expected to be heaviest on major roads between 1pm and 7pm, so our advice to drivers – especially those travelling longer distances – is to set out before this time if possible.” Main roads to watch for jams included the clockwise northern and western sections of the M25 and the M5 north from Gloucestershire towards the West Midlands.
Looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts that the weather will remain cool and breezy into the weekend, with the possibility of drizzle where cloud cover thickens, but plenty of dry spells and some sunshine for those venturing outdoors. “It’s good news for people who have got the week off and want to go on walks,” Ms Hutin observed. The high pressure system currently in place is “firmly in control of the weather across the UK, bringing a much more settled spell, and also cooler temperatures than we've had of late,” according to Mr Claydon.
While the cold weather is not expected to bring widespread snow, the combination of chilly temperatures, strong winds, and the risk of frost means residents are advised to remain vigilant—especially those most at risk. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with health and emergency services on alert to respond to any further incidents or spikes in demand. For now, Britons are being urged to take sensible precautions, avoid unnecessary risks, and look out for one another as the festive season unfolds amid the winter chill.
As the UK weathers this cold snap, the resilience and adaptability of communities shine through—whether in the cancellation of beloved traditions for safety’s sake, or in the determination of swimmers and walkers to make the most of the season’s brisk beauty.
