The Met Office have issued a level 2 (yellow) alert for the whole of the North East for next week, from Monday to Thursday.
“Issued at: 09:26 on Fri, Jan 8, 2016
Weather patterns begin to change from a west to southwesterly flow into a northwesterly flow during Tuesday 12th January, bringing Arctic air across the whole of England. Coldest temperatures will be in the north where there is a high risk of snow showers. Coastal and southern parts will escape the coldest of the temperatures.
There is a 60 per cent probability of severe cold weather between 0900 on Monday 11 Jan and 0900 on Thursday 14 Jan in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust’s emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
An update will be issued when the alert level changes in any region. These details will not be updated here unless the alert level also changes, the latest forecast details can be obtained at the following link: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/#?tab=map”
Age UK Sunderland are warning and asking older people to make sure that they keep warm as there is a strong chance of temperatures falling below 2°C between 9am, on Monday January 11, and 9am, on Thursday, January 14.
“As you get older it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for your health. The cold thickens blood and increases blood pressure, and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.
“The ideal temperature for a bedroom is 64°F (18°C) and 70°F (21°C) for a living room. Ask older people to check their thermostat or use a room thermometer to monitor temperature, and keep their bedroom windows shut on a winter’s night,” advises Age UK Sunderland.