“It is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable,” said Dr Agostinho Sousa as Northern England braces for its first sustained cold snap. UKHSA has issued an amber Cold-Health Alert for Yorkshire and Humber, the North West and the North East, with yellow alerts elsewhere in England from 12 noon on Monday 17 November to 8am on Saturday 22 November 2025.

UKHSA warns the forecast temperatures are likely to push up demand on health services, with greater risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections. People aged 65 and over, anyone with heart or lung conditions, and those sleeping rough are most at risk, and the agency has published clear guidance for professionals and the public.

An amber Cold-Health Alert signals an enhanced response. Impacts are likely across health and social care, the wider population may be at risk, and other sectors can start to feel the strain - meaning coordinated action may be needed.

The Weather-Health Alerting system is run by UKHSA with the Met Office. Cold-Health Alerts typically operate from 1 November to 31 March, with colour levels set by both likelihood and impact; out-of-season alerts can be issued if needed. You can sign up to receive these alerts by email.

Short-notice National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice may be added by the Met Office alongside this health alert, so check the latest forecast before early starts or late finishes on the roads.

For households across the North, the public health advice is straightforward: aim to keep lived-in rooms around 18°C if you can, wear layers, keep bedroom windows closed at night, have hot food and drinks, and make sure routine medicines are stocked. This matters most for older people and those with heart or lung conditions.

Employers with outdoor crews in construction, logistics, farming and utilities know cold snaps bite. Tweaking shift times around frost, briefing teams on ice, checking vehicles and grit plans, and giving staff more warm-up breaks are simple, practical steps that keep people safe and work moving when temperatures drop.

Community groups, faith leaders and parish councils across the North often step in quickly. If you run call-rounds or warm-welcome sessions, now’s the time to activate them and pass any concerns to local health partners. If someone is in immediate danger call 999; for non-urgent medical advice use NHS 111.

The current alert runs from 12 noon on Monday 17 November to 8am on Saturday 22 November 2025. UKHSA says it will keep the situation under review as conditions evolve through the week; we’ll update readers if the status changes.