Met Office Amber Cold Weather Alert

Met Office Amber Cold Weather Alert

An Amber Cold Health Alert is in effect from 8PM on 31/12/2025 until 10AM on 06/01/2026 across the South East.

Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:

a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups

a likely increase in demand for health services

temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks

challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people

staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)

other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

View more detail on the warning at the Cold-Health Alert Map site.

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 as appropriate.

For more information please visit:

Met Office Cold-Health Alert Map

NHS Keep Warm Keep Well leaflet

WSCC Dealing with extreme weather

WSCC Preparing for emergencies

WSCC Report a road and footway issue

Follow West Sussex County Council on Twitter for regular updates @WSCCNews @WSCCResilience @wspublichealth.

On behalf on the Neighbourhood Watch volunteer Administrators who bring you Alert messages such as this throughout the year may I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and safe New Year?

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Message Sent By
Derek Pratt MBE
(NWN, MSA, Sussex)