A cold health alert due to rapidly falling temperatures has been upgraded to an amber alert by health bosses.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had a yellow alert in force for this week as temperatures drop to -5 and this has now risen to an amber alert as temperatures fall further and snow weather forecasts are updated.

The Met Office has a snow and ice warning in force covering Preston and the surrounding area from Tuesday (16 January) through until Thursday (18 January).

Read more: Preston day-by-day weather forecast as cold snap intensifies

The cold weather health alert, issued jointly by the UKHSA and Met Office, states “severe impacts are possible across the health and social care sector due to forecast weather conditions, including an increased risk of mortality across the whole population with significant mortality observed in older age groups.”

National Highways North West has issued its own severe weather warning of disruption on the motorway network in and around Preston due to snow and ice.

The Met Office state: “On Monday very low overnight temperatures are forecast with widespread sharp frosts and supressed temperatures by day through the week ahead.

“On Tuesday, a frontal system will move east to bring areas of rain, sleet and snow to parts of Northern England.

“Accumulations of 5-10cm of snow likely in some areas of high ground.

“Depending on the exact track of this feature, some more widespread snow to low-levels is possible.

“On Wednesday further snow showers will feed inland on brisk northerly winds.”

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