Travelers heading to or through northern England over the coming days are being urged to prepare for severe winter conditions, as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activates amber cold alerts for parts of the North East and North West while keeping the rest of England under yellow alerts.

The warnings, issued under the national Weather-Health Alerting system, highlight not only risks to public health but also likely disruption to transport and energy networks as temperatures plunge and icy surfaces spread across key road and rail corridors.

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Amber cold alerts in the North East and North West

UKHSA’s latest dashboard update on 28 December 2025 shows amber cold health alerts in force for the North East and North West of England, signalling a period of persistent low temperatures and heightened health risks. In these regions, average temperatures are expected to hover around or below 2 degrees Celsius, with sharp overnight frosts and widespread ice.

The alerts sit within the core cold-health season that runs from 1 November to 31 March and may be extended if conditions persist.

Amber status reflects a step up from the more common yellow alerts. It indicates that impacts from the cold are likely to be felt across the health service, and that risks are no longer confined to the most vulnerable individuals.

UKHSA officials warn that a rise in mortality is likely, particularly among older adults, people with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and those unable to adequately heat their homes.

Emergency planners across northern England are now coordinating responses with local authorities, transport operators and energy providers to prepare for spikes in demand and potential service interruptions.

For travelers, the amber alerts are an early indication that winter conditions could deteriorate quickly. The same cold pattern driving health concerns is also expected to create treacherous surfaces on motorways and rural roads, as well as ice on rail infrastructure and airport aprons.

Those planning journeys in or through northern England in the days ahead are being encouraged to monitor updated forecasts from the Met Office and check with transport providers before setting out.

Yellow alerts across the rest of England

While the sharpest impacts are forecast for the North East and North West, the remainder of England is not being spared the cold. Regions including Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the East of England are currently under yellow cold alerts, according to the UKHSA alerting dashboard.

Yellow alerts signal that conditions are cold enough to impact those who are particularly vulnerable, even if the wider population is less severely affected.

In practice, this means that overnight temperatures are expected to fall below freezing in many districts, with frost and patches of ice forming on untreated surfaces, especially during the late evening and morning rush hours.

For travelers, the difference between yellow and amber status is one of scale, not of principle. Even under a yellow alert, ice can form rapidly on bridges, overpasses and lesser-used roads, and pavements can become hazardous around stations, car parks and bus interchanges.

Local authorities and highway agencies in yellow-alert regions typically respond by gritting main routes and key public transport access points, but secondary roads, residential streets and rural lanes may remain untreated.

Visitors driving rental cars, touring in motorhomes or using unfamiliar suburban routes to reach airports and city centres should be aware that navigation apps may suggest shortcuts that are not prioritised for winter maintenance.

How cold-health alerts translate into travel disruption

The UK’s Weather-Health Alerting system is designed primarily as a public health tool, but the colour codes also provide a useful early warning for anyone planning to travel.

Yellow alerts suggest a moderate likelihood of impacts, particularly for vulnerable people, while amber points to widespread effects across health services and other sectors, including transport and energy.

Met Office guidance linked to the cold-health alerts notes that ice and occasional wintry showers can quickly cause slower traffic, road traffic collisions, rail delays and local service interruptions.

On the road network, even a thin glaze of ice can dramatically reduce grip, especially on untreated routes, steep gradients and exposed stretches crossing open countryside. Journey times lengthen as speeds drop and drivers leave wider gaps, and minor collisions can create queues that outlast the weather event itself.

Motorway and trunk road operators may introduce temporary speed restrictions where visibility or surface conditions deteriorate, and some higher, more exposed roads in upland areas of northern England may face closures if snow showers intensify.

On the railways, frost and ice can affect points, signals and overhead lines, prompting operators to slow services or run precautionary inspections before dawn. Morning peak services through northern hubs such as Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle are particularly susceptible to knock-on delays when engineering teams are called out to treat frozen components.

Passengers may see revised timetables, short-notice service alterations and platform changes, and should allow additional time for connections between regional and intercity trains.

Air travel can also be affected. While major airports across England are equipped with de-icing trucks and runway treatment systems, amber-level cold can increase turnaround times as aircraft require de-icing before departure and ground crew movements are slowed by slippery aprons.

When combined with low cloud or freezing fog, these conditions can lead to delays, missed slots and, in some cases, diversions to airports with clearer conditions.

Energy networks and heating: what travelers should expect

UKHSA’s cold-health alerts are accompanied by warnings that energy networks may come under strain as millions of households and businesses switch on heating systems for longer periods.

At amber level, officials flag the potential for disruption to energy as well as transport, especially if demand peaks coincide with technical faults or localised weather impacts such as ice bringing down power lines.

For visitors staying in hotels, guesthouses or short-term rentals, the main concern is less about national-scale blackouts and more about local outages that can temporarily cut heating, lighting and hot water.

Older buildings and rural accommodations may be particularly vulnerable where overhead power lines are common. Travelers arriving late in the evening, when temperatures are at their lowest, may wish to confirm check-in times and heating arrangements in advance, especially if staying in remote locations reached by minor roads.

Cold weather also has cost implications. Hotels and hospitality venues may face higher heating bills, which can influence the availability of discounts and last-minute offers.

For those using long-stay airport parking or open-air storage for campervans, the extended cold spell could affect vehicle batteries and tire pressures. Many roadside assistance providers report spikes in callouts during prolonged sub-zero episodes, and travelers hiring cars should check what breakdown cover is included.

On the positive side, energy providers and grid operators in the UK have extensive cold-weather operating plans and routinely model demand scenarios based on Met Office forecasts.

National-level supply interruptions remain rare. Still, UKHSA’s decision to highlight energy resilience within its amber alerts is a reminder that, under sustained severe cold, localized failures become more likely and can have real impact on comfort and safety, particularly overnight.

Regional picture: where conditions may be toughest

Within the broad amber zones of the North East and North West, conditions are not uniform. Higher ground and more exposed areas, such as the Pennines, the Lake District fells and open stretches of the North York Moors, usually experience lower temperatures, more frequent wintry showers and faster ice formation than coastal and lowland locations.

Rural roads that cross moorland passes can become hazardous earlier in the evening, and black ice is a recurring risk around shaded bends and cuttings.

Urban centres like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle tend to benefit from slightly higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect, but their dense transport networks introduce different vulnerabilities. Busy commuter routes can become gridlocked quickly when even minor accidents or breakdowns occur on icy stretches.

Bus services may be delayed or curtailed on hilly routes into surrounding suburbs, and park-and-ride facilities can fill rapidly when drivers decide to leave cars on the outskirts rather than risk city-centre roads.

Coastal towns along the Irish Sea and North Sea might see slightly milder temperatures but can be exposed to strong, gusty winds that increase the wind-chill effect.

For walkers on seafront promenades and visitors using cliff-top car parks or viewing points, perceived temperatures can feel dramatically colder than forecast values. Ferry services on some smaller routes may also be affected if a combination of wind and sea state makes docking hazardous, even when skies are relatively clear.

Further south, where yellow alerts are in place, the focus is less on extreme cold and more on widespread frost and localized ice. In the Midlands and southern England, evening rain or drizzle that clears after sunset can leave surfaces damp just as temperatures dip below zero, creating classic black-ice conditions on sheltered stretches of roadway.

For drivers heading to early-morning flights at major airports, this pattern is particularly significant, as access roads and car parks can be slick even if the main motorways remain largely dry.

Advice for domestic and international travelers

Authorities and travel operators are encouraging both domestic and international travelers to adapt their plans to the forecast rather than assuming a standard winter timetable.

For those driving, that means allowing extra journey time, keeping fuel tanks topped up, and carrying basic cold-weather supplies such as warm clothing layers, gloves, a charged mobile phone, a torch and some water and snacks.

Car hire customers unused to winter driving are being advised to familiarise themselves with vehicle controls, particularly traction and stability systems, before setting off.

Rail passengers are being urged to check live departure boards and operator updates on the morning of travel, as timetables may be adjusted at short notice to cope with icy conditions or infrastructure inspections.

Booking slightly earlier services than strictly necessary can provide a buffer for missed connections. Those using rail to reach airports in northern England should pay special attention to the first leg of their journey, as local branch lines and regional links are often the most vulnerable to early-morning disruption.

Air travelers passing through UK hubs during the cold spell should build additional contingency into their itineraries, especially when connecting from rail or long-distance coach services.

Arriving at the airport earlier than usual can help offset possible delays en route, and many airlines now offer app-based notifications of check-in and gate changes that can be invaluable on disrupted days. For passengers with tight onward connections outside the UK, travel insurers often recommend documenting any delays or cancellations linked to adverse weather.

Visitors planning outdoor activities, from city walking tours to hikes in national parks, are being asked to reassess itineraries with safety in mind. Clear skies can be deceptive when icy patches linger on pavements, towpaths and rural trails.

Tourism bodies in affected regions are highlighting lower-risk cold-weather activities such as museum visits, indoor attractions and scenic rail journeys that allow visitors to experience winter landscapes without exposure to the harshest conditions.

What this means for the UK’s winter tourism season

The timing of the amber and yellow cold alerts comes at a pivotal moment in the UK’s winter tourism calendar, straddling the festive period and the New Year travel surge.

On one hand, wintry scenes can enhance the appeal of historic cities, Christmas markets and countryside retreats, drawing visitors looking for atmospheric short breaks. On the other, the potential for disruption can dampen last-minute bookings and complicate travel logistics for those already on the move.

Hoteliers and tour operators across northern England report mixed sentiments. Some see opportunity in marketing cozy, cold-weather experiences built around open fires, hearty regional food and indoor cultural attractions.

Others worry that headlines about icy roads and rail delays may encourage prospective guests to postpone trips or choose destinations further south where conditions are perceived as less severe.

For international visitors, particularly those arriving from milder climates, the cold-health alert system may be unfamiliar. Tourism organisations are increasingly working with local authorities to communicate that the alerts are part of a structured national response, not a signal to cancel all travel.

Messaging is shifting toward helping visitors understand the risks, adapt plans sensibly, and make the most of their time in the country despite the weather.

As the cold spell evolves, the balance between disruption and opportunity will depend heavily on how long temperatures remain low and whether further snow or freezing rain develops.

For now, UKHSA and the Met Office are focused on giving as much lead time as possible for both residents and visitors to prepare, with the shared goal of keeping people moving safely even as winter tightens its grip on northern England.

FAQ

Q1. What is an amber cold health alert and how does it affect travelers?
An amber cold health alert indicates that cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with increased risks not only to vulnerable individuals but also to the wider population. For travelers, it is a signal that icy conditions and low temperatures may cause slower roads, rail delays, local power issues and a higher likelihood of short-notice changes to transport services.

Q2. Which parts of England are currently under amber and yellow alerts?
As of 28 December 2025, the North East and North West of England are under amber cold health alerts, while all other English regions, including Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the East of England, are under yellow alerts, reflecting a broader but generally less intense level of risk.

Q3. How likely is it that my train or bus will be delayed?
Cold and icy conditions increase the probability of delays, especially during the morning and evening peaks. While many services will continue to run, speed restrictions, frozen points, minor collisions on access roads and staff having to work more slowly in icy conditions all raise the risk of timetable changes and extended journey times.

Q4. Are flights from UK airports expected to be cancelled?
Major airports are well equipped for winter operations, so widespread cancellations are not inevitable, but amber-level cold can extend turnaround times due to aircraft de-icing and safety checks on runways and taxiways. This can lead to delays and, in some cases, individual cancellations, particularly if low visibility or freezing fog coincides with the cold spell.

Q5. Should I consider postponing my trip to northern England?
Most trips can still go ahead, provided travelers are willing to build extra time into their journeys and remain flexible. The alerts are intended to encourage preparation rather than panic, so the key is to monitor updated forecasts, follow operator advice, and adjust plans if specific routes become heavily affected by ice or localized snow.

Q6. What practical steps can drivers take to stay safe in these conditions?
Drivers are advised to reduce speed, increase stopping distances, avoid sudden braking, keep lights and windscreens clear, and carry winter essentials such as warm clothing, a fully charged mobile phone, a scraper, de-icer and some food and water. Planning routes that favour treated main roads over minor shortcuts can significantly reduce exposure to icy surfaces.

Q7. How might the cold alerts impact energy supply where I am staying?
The alerts highlight a risk of localized power interruptions as networks experience peak demand and, in some cases, ice or wind-related damage. Hotels and larger accommodations often have contingency plans, but guests in rural or older properties should be prepared for short outages and check heating arrangements and contact numbers with hosts or property managers.

Q8. Are city centres safer to travel in than rural areas during amber alerts?
City centres are usually better served by gritted main roads and frequent public transport, which can make them more manageable in icy conditions. However, high traffic volumes mean that even minor incidents can cause significant congestion, so urban travel is not risk-free. Rural areas, particularly at higher elevations, can see more severe ice and snow and may have limited alternative routes if one road is closed.

Q9. What should international visitors unfamiliar with UK winters keep in mind?
International visitors should be aware that conditions can change quickly from wet to icy once temperatures drop below freezing, and that black ice may not be visible on the road surface. Dressing in layers, wearing sturdy footwear with good grip, allowing extra time for journeys, and checking transport updates regularly are all important steps to stay safe and comfortable.

Q10. Where can I find the latest information on alerts and travel conditions while in the UK?
Travelers should consult national weather forecasts, local news bulletins and real-time updates from transport operators for the latest information on cold alerts and service conditions. Many rail, bus and airline companies provide live updates through their own apps and station or airport information screens, which are particularly valuable during periods of disruption.