West Midlands cold health alert issued as UK Health Security Agency warns 'risk to life'

A cold health alert has been issued for the West Midlands by the UK Health Security Agency as temperatures are expected to plummet to zero across the region. The government-issued yellow alert warns of likely disruption to health and social care services from today, Sunday November 17.

The same alert was also issued for the East Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire and Humber. It warns of the potential for increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life of those in that category.

Temperatures are set to drop to below zero in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands this week in a marked change to recent weather. There is also a risk of snow later in the week, according to forecasters.

READ MORE: Met Office issues Birmingham snow verdict as city temperatures to hit zero

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For the West Midlands, the alert is in effect from 9pm tonight until 9am on Thursday, November 21, which will be the coldest period in the week.

The main part of the warning is the possible impact on health and social care services as a result of freezing temperatures in the city. This could mean hospitals, walk-in centres and other healthcare settings could see an increase in demand.

More vulnerable members of the community, older people for example, could be affected. Temperatures across the West Midlands will remain in single figures this week, with the Met Office warning temperatures will drop to zero, but it will feel even colder at -3C.

Read the full forecast for Birmingham this week, which includes the chances of snow, in our report here.