UK cold weather: flooding, freezing temperatures and snow cause disruption across the country

British Red Cross teams are supporting at cold weather shelters and rest centres in flood-affected areas 

Last updated 9 January 2025

Snow, ice and cold weather have triggered yellow weather warnings across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and parts of England. 

As the UK welcomed a new year, the country experienced its coldest night of winter so far, with temperatures on 5 January plummeting as low as -13.3oC in Loch Glascarnoch, Scotland. 

As airports from Bristol to Aberdeen were forced to shut down, the UK Health Security Agency issued an amber ‘Cold health’ alert on 2 January, warning that older people, people with health conditions and people sleeping rough are at risk from the freezing temperatures, in a threat that lasts until 12 January.

How the Red Cross has been supporting people affected

• British Red Cross teams supported people with advice and emotional support at rest centres in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, where major incidents were declared as people were forced from their homes due to flooding caused by melting snow and heavy rain
• In Lincolnshire, a British Red Cross vehicle was involved in the evacuation of 50 children who had to be rescued when their school was cut off by rising floodwaters
• In Leicestershire, a 'danger to life' warning was issued on the River Soar, which triggered the evacuations of hundreds of residents of a nearby caravan park
• Teams have also worked alongside emergency services in Greater Manchester, helping those devastated by flooding and trapped in traffic disruption
• In Southwark, South London, we’ve been supporting at a severe weather shelter since the alert was issued. The shelter provides a warm place to sleep for people who are street homeless, and has volunteers in attendance to provide emotional support and a welcoming ear. 

As further cold weather and freezing temperatures are forecast, our volunteers across the UK are on standby, ready to assist at more shelters.  

Extreme weather as 2025 begins

The UK is experiencing more extreme weather due to climate change, with wetter winters and drier summers - and this is expected to get worse. Each year, our teams respond to over 110,000 local incidents across all regions of the UK, from wildfires to snowstorms. 

Emergencies don’t just happen overseas. You can help us be here for humanity no matter where with a donation to the British Red Cross. 

What to do in extreme weather conditions

Be sure that you and your home are safe during extreme weather warnings with our advice: 

• Preparing for snow and cold weather
• Flooding: staying safe and protecting your home in a flood
• Storms: staying safe in a thunderstorm
• Power cuts: what to do in a power outage

Will there be more snow and ice?

At this time of year, when there is always a risk that weather will turn serious quickly or that a storm will be forecast, it's important to consider the following: 

• Keep up to date with weather forecasts in your area
• Check with your local authority about what's going on locally
• Check travel and public services before using them, as they may be affected.