Cold health alert issued for the North East (17–21 November 2025)
A yellow cold health alert has been issued for the North East from 8am on 17 November 2025 until 8am on 21 November 2025.
This alert carries a matrix score of 10, meaning that significant impacts are possible across both health and social care services.
What this means
Cold weather can have serious effects on health and wellbeing. During this period, services may face:
- An increase in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over, and those with underlying health conditions. Some impacts may also be seen in younger age groups.
- Higher demand for remote health care services.
- Workforce pressures, which may affect the delivery of health and social care.
- Difficulty maintaining indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C, increasing risks for vulnerable people.
You can view all active weather health alerts on the UKHSA Data Dashboard.
Actions for organisations with a duty to respond
If your organisation is responsible for supporting people during adverse weather, please review the Weather Health Alert System guidance to understand how to respond effectively.
Action cards are available for:
- Commissioners
- Voluntary and community sector organisations
- Care homes and other residential settings
- Services providing care in people’s homes
- Hospitals and other healthcare settings
These resources provide clear steps you can take before, during, and after periods of severe cold.
For an overview of weather alerts nationally, visit the UKHSA Data Dashboard.
The Met Office may also issue National Severe Weather Warnings (for example, for snow and ice) at short notice. You can view these on the Met Office website, along with the latest weather forecasts.
How to protect yourself if you are vulnerable
Cold weather can affect anyone but some people are at higher risk, including:
- Older adults
- People with long-term health conditions
- Babies and young children
- People living in poorly heated homes
- Those experiencing homelessness
UKHSA has published guidance on staying safe during cold weather, including keeping homes warm, accessing support and spotting early signs of cold-related illness.
1. Planning for adverse weather
All organisations delivering health and social care should reference the Adverse Weather and Health Plan.
This plan outlines what to do before, during, and after cold weather alerts and supports effective local planning.
For local resilience information, please check the guidance on Local Resilience Forums.
2. About cold health alerts
The following organisations receive cold health alerts from UKHSA:
- NHS-commissioned health trust providers
- Local authorities
- Social care organisations
The Cold Health Alert Service runs from 1 November to 31 March each year, the period when low temperatures are most likely.
If low temperatures occur outside these months, UKHSA may issue an extraordinary cold health alert, and the usual public health actions should still be followed.
You can share this information within your organisation, sign up to receive alerts, or update your existing subscription via the UKHSA registration forms.
3. Understanding the risk matrix
Cold health alerts are assigned a risk score based on the likelihood and potential impact of severe cold. A score of 10 (yellow) means medium impacts with a low likelihood, prompting organisations to prepare and take proportionate action.
UKHSA and the Met Office carry out daily risk assessments.
If the situation changes, a new alert will be issued.
Further advice and guidance
- Flood Alerts and Warnings – check your local flood risk.
- UKHSA Privacy Notice – information on how your data is used.