Level 3 Cold Weather Alert for severe cold and icy conditions

There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions between 6pm on Wednesday 7th Dec and 9am on Monday 12th Dec in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

West Sussex County Council ask people to refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and their Trust’s emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.

View the full warning at the Met Office Cold Weather Alert site.

Affect of cold weather on people’s health

Cold weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this cold weather period please help make sure that they stay warm and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this cold spell.

• Stay tuned in to weather forecasts
• Check room temperatures and maintain it at 18C or warmer
• Keep warm and active and if you have to go out dress warmly and wear non slip shoes.
• If you are concerned about your own health or welfare or that of others please alert the emergency services.

Current alert level: Level 3 – Cold Weather Action

Rather cold conditions are expected to turn colder across much of the UK later Wednesday and through Thursday as air from the Arctic spreads south across the country. Very cold nights are expected, with widespread frosts and potentially severe frosts.

Daytime temperatures persisting near or just above freezing, with overnight temperatures continuing to trend downwards. Wintry showers are also likely to affect some coasts, perhaps pushing into some inland areas at times, bringing a risk of icy patches.

An update will be issued when the alert level changes in any region. Alerts are issued once a day by 9am if required and are not subject to amendment in between standard issue times. Note that the details of the forecast weather are valid at the time of issue but may change over the period that an alert remains in force.

These details will not be updated here unless the alert level also changes, the latest forecast details can be obtained at the following link: www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast