First cold-health alert of the winter issued for the North West and West Midlands
The yellow alert runs from 9am on Thursday to midday on Saturday, as the Met Office forecasts widespread frost on Friday.
A yellow cold-health alert is in force for the North West and West Midlands of England from 9am on Thursday 12 November until 12pm on Saturday 14 November.
It is the first issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) this winter. No other English region is covered for now.
Yellow means the cold is unlikely to affect most people but could harm those who are particularly vulnerable. The agency named people aged 65 and over, people with existing health conditions such as heart and lung disease, and people sleeping rough as most at risk. It also expects extra pressure on health and social care services while the cold lasts.
UKHSA asked people to check on older or unwell friends, relatives and neighbours, keep their homes heated where they can and wrap up warmly. More alerts are likely as the winter goes on, it said.
What the weather is doing
The Met Office said colder air would push south across the UK on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures below average in many places and frost becoming more widespread, especially on Friday. Snow showers were possible on low ground in northern Scotland and the Northern Isles overnight on Wednesday into Thursday, though snow was only likely to settle on high ground.
The cold spell is expected to be short, with temperatures recovering closer to average over the weekend and some rain possible later on.
Cold-health alerts are run by UKHSA with the Met Office and cover England only. They are separate from the Met Office's weather warnings, which cover the whole UK.
