A cold health alert warning of significant impacts across health care runs until January 9
Cambridgeshire is expected to shiver with more freezing temperatures as a cold weather alert remains in effect until January 9. An amber alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that forecasted weather is likely to have a significant impact on health and social care services.
BBC Weather and the Met Office are both predicting extended periods of freezing conditions for Cambridgeshire. The Met Office predicts frequent heavy snow showers along the Norfolk coast should extend south to affect many parts of East Anglia.
It will be mostly dry and widely sunny, the Met Office say, but windy along the coast and breezy inland. They forecast it to be “bitterly cold everywhere”.
BBC Weather said: “Today will be a cold day with crisp winter sunshine throughout. It will be a dry day. A cold night with clear skies throughout. It will remain dry throughout.”
Forecast low temperatures are predicted to result in increased use of health care services by vulnerable people and an increase in risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and over and those with serious underlying health conditions, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Other vulnerable groups such as those sleeping rough, will also be at increased risk.
Dr Paul Coleman, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, previously said: “The weather is forecast to be very cold across England over the coming few days. Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions.
“Exposure to cold can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections. It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”
The forecast is for Cambridge and is correct at the time of the writing. It is the BBC Weather forecast
Hour-by-hour Cambridge weather forecast for Saturday:
10am – Sunny, 0C, feels like -6C
11am – Sunny, 1C, feels like -4C
12pm – Sunny, 2C, feels like -3C
1pm – Sunny intervals, 2C, feels like -3C
2pm – Sunny intervals, 2C, feels like -3C
3pm – Sunny, 1C, feels like -5C
4pm – Clear sky, 0C, feels like -5C
5pm – Clear sky, -1C, feels like -6C
6pm – Clear sky, -1C, feels like -7C
7pm – Clear sky, -1C, feels like -7C
8pm – Clear sky, -2C, feels like -7C
9pm – Clear sky, -2C, feels like -8C
10pm – Clear sky, -3C, feels like -8C
