After a very wild and wet December the weather in Preston and Lancashire is due to experience an icy chill.
The UK Health Security Agency and Met Office have issued a cold weather health alert.
Preston and Lancashire are included within the cold weather warning.
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The alert, a yellow warning, is the lowest level warning from the government agency.
A statement from the UK HSA said: “Significant impacts are possible across the health and social care sector due to forecast weather conditions including an observed increase in mortality across the population particularly in the 65+ age group or those with certain underlying health conditions.
“Impacts may also be seen in younger age groups, increase demand for remote health care services, impact on ability of services delivered due to effects on workforce possible and maintaining indoor temperatures at a recommended 18 degrees C may become challenging for some leading to increased risk of vulnerable people.”
The cold weather alert is in force from 9am on Saturday (6 January) until 12noon on Friday (12 January).
At present the forecast for Preston does not indicate a risk of snow but overnight temperatures will drop to -2 or -3 on some nights particularly in the early part of the week ahead.
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