The UK Health Security Agency has expanded an amber Cold-Health Alert to every region of England, effective from 20:00 on Wednesday 31 December 2025 until 10:00 on Tuesday 6 January 2026. The step follows earlier amber status confined to the North West and North East, with other regions previously on yellow.
Under the Weather-Health Alerting system operated by UKHSA with the Met Office, amber indicates an enhanced response: impacts are likely across health and social care, risk extends to the general population, and multi‑agency coordination may be required.
Forecast low temperatures are expected to increase demand for healthcare, particularly among people aged 65 and over and those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease. People sleeping rough face heightened risk during prolonged cold conditions.
UKHSA’s Adverse Weather and Health Plan provides the framework for local action. Integrated care boards, NHS providers, local authorities and voluntary partners are expected to use alerts to anticipate pressures, communicate with at‑risk groups and manage services under defined action areas including service delivery, communication and risk management.
Public guidance from UKHSA advises heating the rooms used most to at least 18°C, planning medication and food needs ahead of disruption, and seeking timely advice from pharmacies, NHS 111 or GPs. Professionals can signpost households to these materials, which are available in multiple formats and languages.
Cold‑Health Alerts focus on health impacts in England. Separate Met Office National Severe Weather Warnings for hazards such as snow and ice may be issued at short notice; organisations should monitor both as complementary systems.
Timeline: UKHSA first issued amber alerts for the North West and North East from 20:00 on Sunday 28 December 2025 to midday on Monday 5 January 2026. From 20:00 on Wednesday 31 December 2025, coverage extends to all regions of England, expiring at 10:00 on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
Cold‑Health Alerts typically operate from 1 November to 30 March each year, with the option to issue extraordinary alerts outside this period if adverse temperatures are expected to impact health.
UKHSA’s Dr Paul Coleman warned that severe cold raises risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, urging people to “check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable” during the alert period.
Further operational materials for professionals, including action cards and communications resources, are available via UKHSA’s cold weather collection to support local responses through the alert window.