Greater Manchester placed under amber cold weather warning as temperatures set to plummet

January is set to get icy this week, with temperatures across the country dropping to around and below zero. Greater Manchester has been placed under an amber weather warning from the UK Health Security Agency. 

The warning came into effect at midnight on January 7 and will remain in place until at least midnight on January 12. All regions had been placed under a yellow warning from January 6, but several have had theirs upgraded to amber- including the North West. 

Temperatures across Manchester are set to drop to as cold as 0/1C this week. The sun will be shining on some days, but the clear skies will lead to a bitterly cold feel. 

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the United Kingdom into next week, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold. Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, so it can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

“Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65 it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days.”