Met Office issues severe cold weather alert

An amber alert is in place as temperatures plummet

Published 6th Dec 2022

Forecasters have issued a warning of severe cold weather as temperatures plummet this week.

An amber alert - the second highest you can get - has been issued across England, including Wiltshire and Hampshire from Wednesday (7th December) until next Monday (12th December).

In some places, temperatures will struggle to climb above freezing during the day.

Snow is expected as well, but it's difficult to confirm exactly where.

On the Met Office website, the cold weather alert states:

"There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions between 1800 on Wednesday 07 Dec and 0900 on Monday 12 Dec in parts of England.

"This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive 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."

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