Warning over the risks of cold weather after freezing temperatures linked to 2,500 deaths
Cold weather remains a serious risk to public health ❄
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned about the dangers of cold weather.
- It found that 2,544 deaths were associated with cold weather across three cold episodes recorded between November 2024 and January 2025.
- Cold weather remains a serious risk to public health.
People may now be more vulnerable to cold weather, with the risk of death rising sharply in freezing temperatures, according to the first Cold Mortality Monitoring Report, published by the UKHSA.
It warns that even though average winter temperatures are not getting colder, we are becoming more vulnerable to cold weather.
Findings from the report show that 2,544 deaths were associated with cold weather across three cold episodes recorded between November 2024 and January 2025.
The most severe incident happened over six days in January 2025, accounting for 1,630 deaths, while shorter incidents in November 2024 and early January 2025 saw 421 and 493 deaths.
Who is most at risk from cold weather?
The report identified that those most at risk from cold weather include people aged 65 years and over, those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, dementia, people living in poorly insulated homes or experiencing fuel poverty.
Key findings found that older people were most affected, with the risk rising steeply with age, especially in those aged 85 and over.
Men also had a higher number of cold-associated deaths (1,439) than women (1,117), whilst circulatory diseases caused the highest number of cold-related deaths, with 834 deaths linked to conditions such as heart disease.
Most of the deaths (975) happened in hospitals, although the increase in risk during cold weather was greater for people in care homes and those who died at home, with factors such as insulation and heating, access to healthcare, vaccination uptake, and awareness of cold-weather risks all influencing cold-associated deaths.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “Cold weather remains a serious and preventable risk to public health. This report provides important new evidence on how cold affects mortality, helping to ensure that Cold Weather Alerts and preparedness measures are grounded in evidence of health impact. The findings suggest that even short periods of cold can lead to significant increases in mortality, often days or weeks after the temperature drops.
“Understanding who is most affected and how these risks are changing helps us better target winter preparedness, support vulnerable groups, and ensure that cold weather alerts reflect real health impacts, not just weather conditions.”
The cold weather isn’t over yet. Find out how to protect yourself from seasonal illnesses and keep warm this winter at NHS.UK.