Chances of snow as temperatures plunge and amber cold health alert covers Lancashire
Lancashire is set for a cold start to the New Year, with widespread frost and very low temperatures forecast - and an amber cold health alert remaining in place across the county.
According to the Met Office, high pressure will keep conditions largely settled over the coming days, but clear skies overnight will allow temperatures to fall sharply, leading to widespread frost across the North West.
Forecasters say Tuesday will be largely dry with sunny spells after a cold and frosty start.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of around 6C, before falling to as low as -5C overnight in some areas, with freezing fog also possible.
Conditions are expected to turn even colder from New Year’s Day as Arctic air moves south, bringing a prolonged spell of below-average temperatures across much of the UK.
While a yellow snow and ice warning has been issued for northern Scotland, no such warning is currently in place for Lancashire.
However, the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold health alert for the North West of England, including Lancashire, which remains in force until midday on January 5.
The alert warns that forecast temperatures are likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including an increased risk of illness and death, particularly among people aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UKHSA, urged people to look out for vulnerable friends, family and neighbours as temperatures drop.
He said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
The Met Office says Lancashire can expect largely dry weather through to the end of 2025, with sunny spells by day, widespread overnight frosts and patches of freezing fog.
Temperatures are expected to remain low into early January, with forecasters warning that the cold spell is likely to last through at least the first week of the New Year.