First Cold Health Alert of Winter Covers Merseyside From Thursday
Liverpool is forecast sunshine from Thursday, yet a health warning about the cold covers Merseyside over the same days. The first cold-health alert of the 2026/27 winter has come from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
A bright forecast with frost at night
The Met Office outlook for Liverpool from Thursday to Saturday is largely dry, with plenty of autumn sunshine. Colder weather follows, with a brisk northerly wind to begin with and frost overnight. Cloud is expected to build late on Friday, with a shower possible into Saturday.
Wednesday, 11 November reaches 9C, with sunny intervals and light winds. Thursday to Sunday each top out at 7C. Thursday and Friday are sunny, Saturday has sunny intervals, and Sunday brings light rain.
Who the alert is aimed at
The agency's concern is people aged 65 and over, and those with existing health conditions, among them respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Some other groups are also vulnerable, such as people sleeping rough. The agency says cold can send more vulnerable people to health services and put their health at greater risk.
Yellow alerts belong to the Weather Health Alerting system introduced by UKHSA and the Met Office. They can be issued for heat as well as cold. The weather behind them would be unlikely to affect most people, but could affect the particularly vulnerable.
What UKHSA is asking people to do
Dr Anya Gopfert, a consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: "This is the first cold-health alert of the winter, but we can expect more as we move further into the season." She called it vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable.
Her second message was about simple steps to stay warm as temperatures begin to fall. Keeping homes heated where possible and dressing warmly can help people stay safe and well, she said.
Start and end times
The alert comes into force at 9am on Thursday, 12 November. It lasts until 12pm on Saturday, 14 November, which is 51 hours. Two regions are covered, the North West and West Midlands. Other regions of England are unaffected for now.
Source: Liverpool Echo