A cold health alert issued for the North East due to extreme cold has been extended until the end of the week.

An amber cold health alert (enhanced cold weather response) has been issued for the following regions from 10am on 18/11/2024 until 6pm on 23/11/2024 across North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England.

It comes as the region braces for extreme cold this evening, with the Met Office forecasting snow.

Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:

  • a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
  • a likely increase in demand for health services
  • temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
  • challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
  • staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
  • other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

A Met Office spokesperson said: "A swathe of sleet and snow should sweep southeast overnight, with some heavy snow over the Pennines and south especially.

Don’t miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo by clicking here

Most read

"Clearer later, with icy patches and severe frost for many. Minimum temperature -6 °C.

"Cloud and snow clearing to blustery wintry showers, mainly affecting coasts.

"Sunny but cold, windy too in coastal districts, where further sleet and snow may follow into the evening."