Cold Health Alert Issued for South West on Christmas Day Amid Freezing Temperatures

A yellow cold health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the South West region, effective from 6pm on Christmas Day through to noon on December 27. This alert warns of low temperatures posing a “greater risk to life” for vulnerable individuals and increased demand on healthcare services.

Somerset falls within the affected zone, with freezing overnight temperatures expected on Boxing Day. The Met Office predicts a cold night with clear skies, possible frost in rural areas, and a minimum temperature around 0°C. Despite the chill, rainfall will be limited, and a white Christmas is considered “highly unlikely.”

Christmas Day will bring mostly dry conditions with sunshine in the eastern parts of the region. The western areas may experience cloudier skies and occasional sleet or rain showers, accompanied by a cold, blustery easterly wind and a maximum temperature near 6°C.

Looking ahead to Friday through Sunday, the forecast calls for largely dry weather with variable cloud cover, some sunny spells, and persistent cold conditions including nighttime frost and intermittent winds.

Local towns will experience notably low temperatures: in Taunton, temperatures will drop to around 0°C but feel closer to -5°C when factoring in wind chill. Minehead will experience wind chills between -4°C and -5°C throughout the day, while Frome will feel as cold as -4°C.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon described Christmas Day as “pretty decent” weather-wise with mainly dry and settled conditions under high pressure, though gusty easterly winds will be notable along the south coast. He emphasized the unlikelihood of snowfall, citing only a slim chance of a rain band skirting the Channel that could slightly affect the South West without producing snow.

Residents, particularly the vulnerable, are advised to take precautions against the cold to reduce health risks during this chilly holiday period.