A Cold Weather Alert has been issued for Southport and the rest of the northern regions.
The Alert starts this Sunday morning (19th December) and runs until Christmas Eve.
With cold weather forecast across parts of the country over the coming days, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather.
The Met Office is warning that the North West of England, North East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber regions will experience cold weather from 9am on Sunday 19th December to 12pm on Friday 24th December.
Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, said:
It is important to try to heat your home to at least 18 Celsius, 64.4 Fahrenheit, particularly if you have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition.
“Please check on those who are more vulnerable to cold weather such as elderly or frail friends and family, especially if they live alone or with a serious illness. This can make all the difference.”
Met Office Expert Operational Meteorologist Dan Rudman said:
“As we head into next week, we will see a fall in temperatures as colder, clearer air moves across much of the UK. Northern areas will feel the cold most keenly, with maximum temperatures likely to sit in the single figures.
“Towards the middle and end of the week, there is an increasing chance of more unsettled and windier weather affecting the UK with rain, and perhaps snow, possible for some places.”
To check the latest weather forecast updates visit the Met Office website or app.
UKHSA has supplemented the Cold Weather Plan for England with useful resources and advice on the concurrent risks of cold weather and COVID-19 and Keep Warm Keep Well guidance.
For people struggling to afford heating bills, Simple Energy Advice provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants that are available to help keep you warm this winter.
If people can’t heat all the rooms they use, it’s important to heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep. Wearing a few thin layers is better at trapping heat than wearing one thick layer. Having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm.
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