A health advisory has been issued regarding cold weather, particularly affecting central and northern England. This alert, which will last for three days, highlights that those who are vulnerable may face increased risks, and there could be "minor impacts" on healthcare services due to a rise in demand during this chilly spell.
The warning comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and is effective from Friday morning through to Saturday morning.
In conjunction with this, the Met Office has also issued warnings for snow and ice that will be in effect starting late Thursday and continuing until noon on Friday, covering much of northern England and nearly all of Scotland. According to forecasters, a light dusting of 1-2 cm of snow is expected in many areas, but certain locations over 300 meters in elevation might receive up to 10 cm.
As for temperatures, Friday is anticipated to be the coldest day, with forecasts suggesting around 2°C (35°F) during the morning commute in Manchester, while Glasgow could see temperatures drop to 0°C (32°F) under clear skies.
Additionally, heavy rainfall is predicted for today, with Scotland expected to experience the most severe conditions. Yellow weather warnings are active until midnight for a vast section of eastern England and parts of the west coast.
To illustrate the severity of the situation, Aberdeen has already recorded 180% of its usual February rainfall, while Kincardineshire and Angus have seen increases of 152% and 130%, respectively. The start of 2026 has brought an unrelenting pattern of rain to the UK, attributed to a "blocking pattern." In fact, 26 weather stations across the country set new records for monthly rainfall in January, as reported by the Met Office. Northern Ireland also experienced its wettest January in 149 years.
Chris England, a weather producer at Sky News, noted that the upcoming drop in temperatures will likely come as a surprise after the extended mild and rainy period. He explained that the jet stream, which influences our weather patterns, will dip southward briefly at the end of the week. This shift will usher in a colder, more wintry flow from the north. However, he reassured that milder weather should begin to spread from the South later in the weekend.
