A cold weather alert has been issued on Christmas Day as temperatures plunge in the UK. The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for wind, with disruption expected.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for the South West region of England. It is in place from 6pm on Thursday, December 25, until 12pm on Saturday, December 27. The agency states that the colder weather is likely to pose a “greater risk to life of vulnerable people” and result in an “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people.”
Meanwhile, the Met Office is warning of “strong and gusty” winds across South West England and Wales. The yellow weather warning, which began at 4am on Christmas morning, is in place until 11.59pm tonight.
According to the Met Office, strong and gusty northeasterly winds may bring disruption across the region, including transport delays and possible power cuts. The forecaster is expecting wind speeds to be between 45mph and 55mph, with gusts of up to 65mph in some exposed areas.
The Met Office says: “East to northeasterly winds will become particularly strong and gusty during Christmas Day, with peak gusts fairly widely of 45-55 mph, but 55-65 mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.
“Given the more unusual wind direction, this may lead to some disruption to transport and power supplies. Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”
People across the UK are advised to check road conditions before setting off on journeys on Christmas Day. The Met Office also recommends “gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items” in the case of a power cut.
The windy weather has already led to several swimming events being cancelled across the affected region on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Coverack swim, in Cornwall, has been postponed until New Year’s Day, while the Start Bay Inn, in Devon, confirmed its Boxing Day swim had been cancelled due to rough seas.
