Cold-health alerts in the UK: how the system works and what to do

On 10 November the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the first cold-health alert of winter 2026/27. Many people have never heard of the system and are not sure what it means or whether they need to act. Here is what GOV.UK says about how cold-health alerts work, who they are aimed at, and how to keep warm without harming your health.

What is a cold-health alert and who issues it?

It is part of the Weather-Health Alerting system run jointly by UKHSA and the Met Office. They monitor the forecast, and when dangerous cold is expected they carry out a joint risk assessment and issue an alert at the appropriate level. The core period when cold-health alerts are issued runs from 1 November to 31 March each year; in exceptional cases an alert can be issued outside that window.

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What do the colours — yellow, amber, red — mean?

The level is shown by colour: yellow, amber or red. The colour reflects a combination of how serious the impact of the cold could be and how likely those impacts are. Yellow is the mildest level and mainly warns vulnerable groups; red signals a risk to the health of the whole population. The first alert of the season, issued on 10 November, is yellow; it covers the North West and the West Midlands and runs from 9am on Thursday 12 November to 12pm on Saturday 14 November. Other regions of England are not affected for now.

Who is most at risk from the cold?

Those most at risk are people aged 65 and over, people with long-term conditions — especially of the heart and lungs (respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) — and others for whom cold is especially hard, such as people sleeping rough. Cold puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, so for these groups even moderate cold is more dangerous than it looks. Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, says "it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable."

What should you actually do to keep warm safely?

Following GOV.UK advice: heat the rooms you use most (the living room, the bedroom) to at least 18°C. Wear several layers of thinner clothing — this can keep you warmer than one thick layer. Keep bedroom windows closed at night. Do not sit still for more than an hour or so; if moving is hard, even stretching your arms and legs helps. Check on older or unwell relatives: ask whether they feel worse and whether they need help with food and medication while the weather is bad.

Know the signs of hypothermia: shivering, slow breathing, tiredness or confusion, and pale, cold skin. If you suspect it, call NHS 111, or dial 999 in an emergency.

Where can you see current alerts?

Cold-health alerts are aimed mainly at health and social care professionals, but they are open to everyone: they are freely available to view, and you can sign up for email updates on the system's page. Before deciding an alert does not apply to you, check the current level for your region on the official source — the situation and the colour change through the winter.