Met Office Cold Weather Alert Level 3

The Met Office has issued a level 3 cold weather alert. This means that severe cold weather is forecast in our region.  There is a 90% probability of severe cold weather and icy conditions between 9.00am on Wednesday 18 January and 9.00am on Monday 23 January.

Exposure to the cold can have a devastating impact on everyone, especially if you are particularly vulnerable to the impact of low temperatures.

As we get older it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for our health. Breathing in cold air lowers the body temperature, and raises the risk of chest infections, heart attacks and strokes.

The Met Office recommend keeping your home heated to at least 18°C throughout the day and night. Try to keep warm as much as you can and wear warm clothing, it’s also best to keep bedroom windows shut at night during the winter months.

Beat the bad weather with these simple steps and look at our KeepWarmKeepWell section for more information.  

• If bad weather is forecast, make sure you have everything you need. Check you've got enough medication and food in case it's harder to leave the house. A bottle of water could be handy if the water supply is interrupted.
• Have torches handy around the home in case of a power cut. And some spare batteries too!
• Keep emergency numbers nearby. Call 105 in the event of a power cut – you can report a power cut and get information and advice if there is one in your area. You can also register with your supplier so they'll call you in the event of a power cut.
• Take extra care if the ground is slippery. Wear shoes with good grip and consider keeping salt and sand mixture handy to grit paths. You could ask your neighbours for help to clear paths or driveways clear in bad weather – most people are more than happy to help.
• Plan ahead when driving. Try to avoid going out in the car in bad weather if possible, and make sure you follow advice on driving conditions near you. If you do need to go out, pack up the following kit in case you get stuck: blankets, a bottle of water or flask of hot drink, some snacks, a shovel, a de-icer or scraper, a mobile phone and charger.

More detailed forecasts can also be found on the Met Office website