Cold weather, snow and ice

What it is

Cold weather, snow and ice are a seasonal hazard. Be Ready says some people are at higher risk of illness if they become too cold, or of serious injury from a slip or fall. Severe cold disrupts road and rail, and accidents rise when roads are icy and drivers are not used to the conditions.

The groups most at risk are older adults, people with long-term conditions including cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health conditions, pregnant people, babies and young children, people with learning disabilities, people at risk of falls, people who live alone or are housebound, and people who are homeless or sleeping rough.

What it does to a home

The home gets cold, and the risk from faulty heating rises. Be Ready says heat the rooms you spend most time in to at least 18 degrees Celsius, keep windows closed at night and reduce draughts. Damp and mould should be traced and dealt with; the NHS explains the health effects. The Energy Saving Trust advises on heating a home more efficiently and insulating it, and the Met Office publishes advice on getting a property winter ready.

Cost matters. Be Ready points to government energy saving tips, grants to improve energy efficiency and heating, help with energy bills, cost of living support for people on low incomes, and Ofgem information for people who cannot afford bills or who use prepayment meters. Age UK gives cost of living advice.

A cold spell can bring a power cut or a water supply interruption, and winter is when respiratory infectious diseases circulate, which is why the vaccinations are offered.

Who warns you

The Met Office warns of snow and ice through the National Severe Weather Warning Service up to seven days ahead, in yellow, amber or red according to impact and likelihood. The UK Health Security Agency issues Cold Health Alerts, published on its weather-health alerts dashboard, and the National Risk Register says these are issued with the Met Office and users need to register. Public Health Wales publishes cold weather advice for Wales, Ready Scotland for Scotland, and UKHSA's Keep Warm Keep Well guidance covers England with an easy-read version, British Sign Language video and translations.

How the government assesses it

The National Risk Register 2025 recalls the spell of late February and early March 2018 known as the Beast from the East, which disrupted transport, closed schools and cut power. Its reasonable worst case is snow lying across several regions, including low ground, for at least a week, with falls over 10 cm at a time, depth over 30 cm for seven days, daily mean temperature below minus 3 and nights below minus 10 in many areas. It expects more falls, fractures, road accidents and hypothermia, excess deaths above a normal winter, and disruption to transport, power, heating fuel, telecommunications and water. The Met Office warning service gives up to seven days' notice, and UKHSA's Adverse Weather and Health Plan brings together the former Heatwave Plan and Cold Weather Plan for England.

Where to look

• Met Office warnings and WeatherReady seasonal advice at metoffice.gov.uk.
• Cold Health Alerts at ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/cold.
• Priority Services Register at thepsr.co.uk.
• Related pages: power cuts, storms, water supply interruptions.