UKHSA issues first cold-health alert of winter 2026/27
What was announced
A yellow cold-health alert has been issued for the North West and West Midlands regions.
Key points, in the publisher's words
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first cold-health alert of the 2026/27 winter season. A yellow cold-health alert has been issued for the North West and West Midlands regions, running from 9am on Thursday 12 November until 12pm on Saturday 14 November. Other regions of England are currently unaffected.
- Under the Weather Health Alerting system introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office, yellow cold-health alerts may be issued during periods of heat or cold which would be unlikely to impact most people but could impact those who are particularly vulnerable.
- Low temperatures can result in increased use of health care services by vulnerable people and an increased risk to health for individuals aged 65 years and over, those with pre-existing health conditions (including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases), and some other vulnerable groups, such as those sleeping rough. UKHSA has published guidance for professionals protecting vulnerable people and for the public on staying safe during periods of cold weather.
Who and where
UK bodies of power
- UK Health Security Agency (executive agency) · more news
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Climate and health.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-issues-first-cold-health-alert-of-winter-202627
- Published 2026-11-10 13:37:00 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-11-10 13:45:45 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 11895, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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