Cold weather health alert issued - as Met Office snow and ice warnings also in force

A three-day health alert for cold weather has been issued for central and northern England.

It warns that vulnerable people could be at greater risk and possible "minor impacts" on healthcare services due to increased demand.

The alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) runs from 6am on 13 February until 8am on 16 February.

Met Office snow and ice warnings are also in force on Thursday and Friday for northern England and virtually the whole of Scotland.

The forecaster said 1-2cm of snow is widely likely but that some places on high ground could get as much as 10cm.

Friday is set to be the chilliest day, with around 2C (35F) forecast for the morning commute in Manchester and 0C (32F) under clear skies in Glasgow.

Sky News weather producer Chris England said the cold would "come as something of a shock after the long mild, wet spell".

"The jet stream, which guides our weather systems, will move briefly south to end the week, allowing an increasingly northerly flow, bringing more wintry conditions," said England.

However, he added that milder conditions should spread from the South later in the weekend.

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