This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65843463

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
How do hot and cold-health alerts work? How do hot and cold-health alerts work?
(4 months later)
The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow cold-health alerts for five regions of England, indicating that weather conditions could pose a risk to those who are particularly vulnerable.The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow cold-health alerts for five regions of England, indicating that weather conditions could pose a risk to those who are particularly vulnerable.
The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.
How does the weather health alert system work?How does the weather health alert system work?
Run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, the weather health alert system for England was introduced in June 2023. Run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, the weather health alert system for England was introduced in June 2023, external.
It includes both heat-health alerts (HHA) and cold-health alerts (CHA). It includes both heat-health alerts (HHA) and cold-health alerts (CHA), external.
Cold-health alerts are typically issued between 1 November and 30 March, and heat-health alerts between 1 June and 30 September.Cold-health alerts are typically issued between 1 November and 30 March, and heat-health alerts between 1 June and 30 September.
The system issues warnings to members of the public and sends guidance directly to NHS England, the government and other healthcare professionals during periods of adverse weather.The system issues warnings to members of the public and sends guidance directly to NHS England, the government and other healthcare professionals during periods of adverse weather.
Alerts are categorised according to severity and include:Alerts are categorised according to severity and include:
headline weather conditions expected in the coming daysheadline weather conditions expected in the coming days
headline weather conditions expected in the coming days
details of how weather conditions will affect each regiondetails of how weather conditions will affect each region
details of how weather conditions will affect each region
links to additional information, advice and guidance.links to additional information, advice and guidance.
links to additional information, advice and guidance.
The system was designed to help reduce illness and deaths by improving communication between the public and relevant bodies during periods of extreme weather.The system was designed to help reduce illness and deaths by improving communication between the public and relevant bodies during periods of extreme weather.
Cold weather and health guidance and advice Cold weather and health guidance and advice, external
Hot weather and health guidance and advice Cold weather and health guidance and advice, external
See current weather-health alerts Hot weather and health guidance and advice, external
Sign up to receive alerts Hot weather and health guidance and advice, external
See current weather-health alerts, external
See current weather-health alerts, external
Sign up to receive alerts, external
Sign up to receive alerts, external
What does each level mean?What does each level mean?
The level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and data.The level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and data.
There are four levels ranging from green (least severe) to red (most severe):There are four levels ranging from green (least severe) to red (most severe):
GreenGreen
Green is the normal level, when advice is given on how people should prepare to respond if temperatures rise or fall.Green is the normal level, when advice is given on how people should prepare to respond if temperatures rise or fall.
YellowYellow
Yellow alerts are issued during periods of hot or cold weather that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, for example the elderly, or those with existing health conditions.Yellow alerts are issued during periods of hot or cold weather that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, for example the elderly, or those with existing health conditions.
AmberAmber
Amber alerts are issued in situations that could potentially put the whole population at risk. The NHS may see increased demand on GPs and ambulances, for example.Amber alerts are issued in situations that could potentially put the whole population at risk. The NHS may see increased demand on GPs and ambulances, for example.
Travel disruption is also likely.Travel disruption is also likely.
RedRed
A red alert is the most severe.A red alert is the most severe.
It is issued in situations when hot or cold weather would be a significant risk to life, for even the healthy population, and could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed.It is issued in situations when hot or cold weather would be a significant risk to life, for even the healthy population, and could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed.
Which areas are covered by the latest cold-health alert?Which areas are covered by the latest cold-health alert?
Yellow cold-health alerts were issued on 7 February for five English regions:Yellow cold-health alerts were issued on 7 February for five English regions:
East MidlandsEast Midlands
East Midlands
West MidlandsWest Midlands
West Midlands
the North Eastthe North East
the North East
the North Westthe North West
the North West
Yorkshire and the HumberYorkshire and the Humber
Yorkshire and the Humber
They will remain in place until 20:00 GMT on Thursday 9 February.They will remain in place until 20:00 GMT on Thursday 9 February.
Separately the Met Office has issued two amber warnings for snow and ice on Thursday, covering north Wales and north-west Shropshire from 08:00 to 15:00, and the Peak District and south Pennines from 12:00 until 18:00.Separately the Met Office has issued two amber warnings for snow and ice on Thursday, covering north Wales and north-west Shropshire from 08:00 to 15:00, and the Peak District and south Pennines from 12:00 until 18:00.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is already in force for much of Scotland. A yellow warning for snow and ice, external is already in force for much of Scotland.
How do UK weather warnings work?How do UK weather warnings work?
How do UK weather warnings work?
How to drive in snow and icy weatherHow to drive in snow and icy weather
How to drive in snow and icy weather
The best way to de-ice a car and other winter tipsThe best way to de-ice a car and other winter tips
Find out the weather forecast for your area, with an hourly breakdown and a 14-day lookahead, by downloading the BBC Weather app: Apple - Android - Amazon The best way to de-ice a car and other winter tips
Find out the weather forecast for your area, with an hourly breakdown and a 14-day lookahead, by downloading the BBC Weather app: Apple, external - Android, external - Amazon , external
The BBC Weather app is only available to download in the UK.The BBC Weather app is only available to download in the UK.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
UK snowUK snow
Met OfficeMet Office
SnowSnow
Weather forecastingWeather forecasting
Severe weatherSevere weather