UK weather: People urged to heat main rooms as cold snap begins

People are being advised to heat living rooms during the day and bedrooms before going to sleep as a cold spell hits the UK.

Health officials issued the advice to people who cannot heat every room or are struggling with heating costs.

Overnight lows of -10C (14F) are predicted in northern Scotland, with snow and ice warnings there, in Wales, Northern Ireland and the east coast.

A level three cold weather alert for England begins at 18:00 GMT.

Issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), it will run until 09:00 on 12 December, but could be extended further if forecasts predict continued colder temperatures.

The alert is triggered when severe cold weather is likely to affect people's health significantly - particularly those with underlying health conditions.

There is a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in place from midnight on Wednesday until noon on Thursday for northern Scotland.

England's east coast has a yellow warning, for ice, from 18:00 until 12:00 on Thursday - with temperatures set to drop as low as -3C (26.6F).

And a yellow weather warning also applies to Wales and most of Northern Ireland from midnight until 18:00 on Thursday.

A yellow weather warning applies to Wales and most of Northern Ireland from midnight

While sub-zero temperatures may not be unexpected in parts of northern Scotland in winter, readings of -6C are predicted for parts of rural England from Thursday.

Large parts of Scotland are set to experience a prolonged "Arctic blast", with freezing temperatures, snow and ice forecast on Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated in London for the first time this winter, meaning homeless people will be given access to shelter.

• Check the forecast where you are

BBC Weather's Chris Fawkes said: "Frequent showers will turn to snow overnight and, during Wednesday in north Scotland, bringing the first snow of winter.

"Over coming days, cold weather will move south, with daytime temperatures around 5C below the December average - and probably not getting above freezing in places.

"Overnight frosts will be widespread and sharp, -2C to -6C commonly, but with much lower temperatures over snow cover in Scotland. Showers will increasingly turn to sleet and snow in parts of Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

"This abrupt change to cold winter weather will come as more of a shock to the system, given that this autumn has provisionally been the third warmest on record in the UK, in which frosts have been very rare."

Rising cost concerns

The UKHSA said that, as well as heating rooms that are used the most to at least 18C, "several layers of thinner clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer".

"Having plenty of hot food and drinks is also effective for keeping warm," the agency added.

The rising cost of energy has prompted concerns that some people could resist using their heating, even during the unseasonably cold temperatures expected this week.

Under the current energy price guarantee, a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity can expect to pay £2,500 annually. This rises to £3,000 a year for typical use from April.

• I'm freezing - can I get a cold weather payment?

• Winter weather: Keeping costs down when it's cold

Dr Agostinho Sousa of the UKHSA said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you."

Disability charity Scope said a survey of 1,000 disabled households suggested 43% had cut back on electricity and gas, with some saying they were switching off heating and using duvets to keep warm.

Additional support to help with energy costs is available for the most vulnerable, alongside a one-off £400 discount for all households.

Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action called on the government to "step in with more help for those at greatest peril this winter".

Charities and councils have also set up so-called warm banks - heated buildings that members of the public can visit - to help this winter against the background of high energy costs.

The BBC visited one such facility in Cheltenham, which is open four days a week and has recently seen "more and more people coming through".

Manchester United is offering the Red Cafe at Old Trafford as a free "warm hub" every Monday and Wednesday evening in December. Blackpool FC will be opening up a warm space at their Bloomfield Road ground later on Wednesday.

What does an unheated room do to your body?

Living in such low temperatures puts a considerable strain on the body, which has to work to warm up faster.

This can lead to an increase in blood pressure and a faster heartbeat - which in turn can exacerbate the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

At low temperatures, those who already have poor heart health and the elderly become even more susceptible to serious health issues.

• Read more from our health correspondent James Gallagher

Local authorities are also asking people to check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to see if they need extra help.

Cllr David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: "During these cold spells, it is the elderly or those who have a respiratory disease who are more at risk of ill-health and in need of more support.

"As some people may choose to limit their heating use due to the impact of rising energy bills, it is all the more important that people check up on those that may need more help. It could help save lives."

Councils in England and Wales have stockpiled 1.4 million tonnes of salt to grit roads this winter, but many told the LGA they were struggling to recruit and retain gritter drivers.

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