All eyes have been on the rapid moving weather, ever since the spontaneous hot summer most of us experienced, took a cold turn. Since the feverish summer, most of the UK, may, or may not have been wondering if the heat was going to last throughout winter. Prof Paul Davies, (meteorology) and chief meteorologist, in a late Met Office article, predicts ‘a mild late autumn and early winter’, as well as a rainy and windy outlook to the end of October and start of November, the Met Office also said there are ‘above average temperatures’ ’, especially in the north and west of England.

Gustily winds and rain have already caused a disruption around England in the first week of November. Ullapool, Aberdeen, Dumfries, Newcastle, Penrith, Harrogate, Liverpool, Swansea, Belfast and Brighton, have already been issued a yellow warning card for wind and rain, reaching highs of 55-70mph winds, and 20-40mm of rain to drop at the times of 3-6pm onwards, on Nov 2-3rd.

So far, daytime temperatures are set to reach 10 Celsius in and around London, UK, and could fall to lows of 4 Celsius at night. November can often suffer with cold, windy and rainy weathers, not only does November into December reach low cold points, it could potentially reach as low as 0 Celsius in places like York, Durham, Newport/Shropshire or Aberdeenshire/Braemar, which based on Met Office records reached a lowest ever temperature of -27.2 Celsius in 1895 and 1982, as well as in Altnaharra/ Highlands in 1995.

The cold weather can be inopportune for the older generation, as well as babies and children under the age of 5.

Some disadvantages of England’s colder weather can cause health problems, such as hypothermia and heart problems. Weather below normal could cause your body to have an heart attack, and potentially could lead to certain death. Though across the country, heat causes more deaths each year, the cold is still as much of a threat. A study published Mid 2022, in the Lancet Planetary Health, said that on average over 60,500 deaths were associated with the cold between 2000 and 2019.

An late NHS article says that to help with heating costs, people may be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home. Some links that the NHS provides are ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’  and to find out about ‘Benefits & Financial Support’ . You can also visit the ‘How to stay well in winter page’ . This page will inform you on how to look after the elderly and young during this upcoming cold Christmas.