The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued an amber cold-health alert for London. It will be in effect from 8pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025 until 10am on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
With the drop in temperature, here are a few simple steps for people to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and well.
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you.
- Check the weather forecast and the news.
- Make sure you have sufficient food and medicine.
- Take simple measures to reduce draughts at home.
- Heat rooms you spend most time in, to 18C if you can.
- Keep bedroom windows closed.
- Wear multiple layers of thinner clothing.
- Cold weather makes us all more vulnerable to a range of winter illnesses such as flu, coughs, and colds. If you’re eligible, get vaccinated against flu and Covid-19. Find out more here: Winter vaccinations and winter health – NHS
- Get help if needed. Call NHS 111 or in an emergency 999.
The Weather-Health Alerting System aims to provide an early warning when temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.
Exposure to cold indoor or outdoor temperatures increases blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart problems, kidney disease, stroke or dementia.
Cold temperatures can also make blood more likely to clot, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
Read more on how to keep warm and well during winter.