An arctic chill has swept across the United Kingdom this week, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office to issue a slew of cold weather alerts and warnings for snow and ice. As temperatures plunged to their lowest since March, communities from the Scottish Highlands to London found themselves bracing for wintry hazards, icy roads, and mounting pressure on health and social care services.
The cold snap, which began in earnest on Monday, November 17, 2025, brought with it an amber cold health alert for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber. According to the UKHSA, this amber alert signals the potential for significant impacts across health and social care, including a likely rise in deaths among elderly people and those with existing health conditions, as well as increased demand for health services. The alert is set to remain in place until 8am on Saturday, November 22, with the rest of England under a yellow alert for the same period.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, took to social media last Friday to stress the importance of community vigilance during the cold spell. "With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across Northern England and the Midlands into next week, it is important to check in on those most vulnerable to the cold. Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections," Dr Sousa cautioned, as reported by the UKHSA.
The Met Office, meanwhile, has been busy updating the nation with a series of yellow weather warnings for ice and snow. The first of these kicked in at 7pm on Monday for the North East and the far north of mainland Scotland, lasting until 10am the following morning. But that was just the start. A snow warning was issued for Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde from 3am to 6pm on Tuesday. Further ice warnings extended into parts of northern England from 5am to midday on Tuesday, with more to follow as the week progressed.
According to the Met Office, the coldest part of the week is expected between Wednesday and Friday. Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree explained, "Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week, and this period has the greatest potential for impactful weather, with multiple warnings in place. Overnight, temperatures could get down to minus 10C, with a significant wind chill from the strong northerly wind making things feel even colder."
Snowfall of around 2 to 5 centimeters at low levels is forecast in the affected regions, alongside outbreaks of rain and hill snow. The Met Office also warned that widespread frosts would be commonplace, with daytime temperatures barely climbing out of single digits and brisk northerly winds exacerbating the chill factor. Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley added, "There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as minus 7C in places next week, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country. Couple this with a brisk northerly wind, and there will be a marked wind chills."
The impacts of the cold weather are already being felt. On Saturday, November 15, the UK recorded its coldest night since March, with Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands shivering at minus 7C. The Met Office forecasts suggest that overnight lows could dip even further, down to minus 10C in some areas as the week continues.
The UKHSA's amber cold health alert is more than just a warning about the weather; it is a call to action for communities and services. The agency highlighted several likely impacts in the regions under amber alert: a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions; a likely increase in demand for health services; temperatures inside hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below recommended levels; difficulties maintaining indoor temperatures at the advised 18C, posing greater risks to vulnerable people; and potential staffing shortages due to travel delays or other external factors. Other sectors, such as transport and energy, are also expected to feel the strain.
For the rest of England, yellow cold health alerts have been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West. These areas, while not facing the highest level of alert, are still expected to experience challenging conditions, including icy roads and the risk of snow accumulation.
The Met Office's daily forecasts paint a picture of a country in the grip of winter. Monday saw showers in the far north and along North Sea coasts, with wintry conditions in northern Scotland. Elsewhere, it was mostly dry but cold, especially in the east where brisk winds added to the discomfort. By nightfall, showers eased, leaving a widespread frost and icy patches across much of the country. Tuesday brought a bright, frosty start for many, but rain and snow in the North West quickly spread southeast, bringing snow, especially in the north, and leaving most regions feeling decidedly chilly.
The outlook for the rest of the week is more of the same—or worse. Early rain and snow are expected to clear on Wednesday, leaving behind very cold northerly winds, sunshine, and wintry showers. Overnight frost and ice will be a persistent hazard, and rain with hill snow is forecast to arrive in the west later on Friday.
Health officials and meteorologists alike are urging the public to take precautions. The UKHSA recommends checking in on older friends, relatives, and neighbors, ensuring homes are heated to at least 18C in rooms used during the day, and staying up to date with the latest forecasts and advice. With the potential for travel disruption, hazardous roads, and increased strain on emergency services, authorities are emphasizing preparedness and community support.
As the UK weathers this early winter blast, the coming days will test the resilience of its people and services. For many, it’s a familiar challenge—one that calls for both individual vigilance and collective care.
