Current alert level: Level 2 – Alert and Readiness in one or more regions of England

Issued at: Sunday 29 January 2012 at 10:02

There is a 80% probability of severe cold weather between 1200 on Sunday and 1000 on Thursday 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.

Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow across southwest England will edge across parts of the west Midlands and central-southern England later today and through tomorrow. Snow accumulations are expected but these should be mostly over higher ground. Elsewhere, cold and rather cloudy today and tomorrow with some persistent fog/freezing fog patches and a few wintry showers around the east coast. Becoming more settled and remaining cold from Tuesday onwards with widespread overnight frosts and a bitter easterly wind. Most areas will be dry although a few wintry showers will move in from the east at times. Turning colder on Wednesday and Thursday, especially across eastern and south-eastern England, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above zero. This alert will be re-issued and extended for the rest of the working week tomorrow morning. There is also the likelihood that the alert level will be increased to a level 3 for some areas when the alert is issued tomorrow.