The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for parts of England as temperatures are set to drop this week.
The agency, which is responsible for public health protection, issued the alert on Tuesday, January 18 as it warned that the drop would likely span from 6pm on Wednesday to 9am on Sunday.
Members of the public are being asked to look out for those who could be considered most 'at risk' from the effects of the cold weather, such as the elderly and those who struggle with mobility.
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Freezing conditions and widespread frosts have been forecast across both central and southern England, prompting the UKHSA to encourage Brits to wrap up warm in affected areas, which include the West Midlands, East Midlands, East, South East, and South West regions.
Speaking about the incoming cold weather on Tuesday, Agostinho Sousa, consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, explained that it can have a 'serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with heart and lung problems, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections'.
Sousa continued, 'Remind vulnerable relatives and neighbours to heat their home to at least 18°C – particularly if they have reduced mobility, are 65 or older, or have a health condition. Should they need to go outside, it’s important for them to wear shoes with a good grip.'
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Steve Ramsdale, Met Office chief meteorologist, confirmed the news as he explained that the cold air is the result of a 'change in conditions', and that it will 'linger' over England and Wales for the remainder of the week.
'With easing winds and good clear spells, a widespread frost is likely on Thursday and Friday morning with temperatures recovering somewhat by day,' Ramsdale said, adding, 'Into the weekend more cloud is likely to spread over England and Wales with less of a frost by night.'
Met Office meteorologist Stephen Partridge described the weather as the kind that requires 'getting the bigger coats out', Metro reports, explaining there will be 'less of the milder conditions we’ve had by day and certainly widespread frosts overnight'.
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However, thanks to mostly dry weather, Partridge said ice 'shouldn't be too much of an issue'.
To help stay warm inside, the UKHSA advised heating the 'living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to sleep' if you cannot heat all the rooms that are used. It also recommended wearing a few thin layers rather than one thick layer to improve the trapping of heat.
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Emily Brown