Amber Cold Weather Alert: From 12pm 9th January 2025 to 9am 14th January 2025
Amber alerts are triggered as soon as the weather described following a Yellow alert has occurred. It indicates that severe winter weather is now happening and an impact on health and health services is expected. The Met Office forecasts a 60% chance of severe winter weather (a mean temperature of 2°C or less and/or heavy snow and widespread ice), in one or more defined geographical areas for a period of at least 48 hours in the next 5 days.
MET Office Seasonal advice
The Met Office has produced a range of seasonal advice to help deal with the worst weather throws at us, including guidance on travel, your home, health and wellbeing, your community and being weather ready for winter.
Clicking here will take you to the MET office’s range of seasonal weather advice.
Stay Weather Safe
Birmingham City Council has produced guidance on staying safe during severe weather, including dedicated information on winter weather, thunderstorms and lightning, and gales and high winds.
Heating Your Home
Birmingham City Council has produced guidance on several schemes now available to Birmingham residents to tackle fuel poverty, from free installation of central heating, switching energy supplier, support with fuel debts, energy saving measures, energy efficient appliances and more.
Simple Energy Advice – SEA provide free advice on energy efficiency, grants and bills and can be contacted free on 0800 444 202.
Cost of Living
Are you worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food and transport? You are not alone; the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many of us. You may want help accessing grants and debt advice, support getting all the money you’re entitled to, or simply want to know more about the government’s recent support measures. Whatever your money worries may be, BCC has put together some helpful information to help you.
Warm Welcome
A network of free-to-use Warm Welcome sites is being made available across Birmingham to provide free, warm and welcoming spaces where people can come to take part in activities, access services and get practical advice and support, as well as meet members of their community.
Age UK
Age UK has produced guidance on keeping well this winter, including information on staying healthy, keeping spirits up, managing money, looking after each other, preparing for severe weather and getting the flu jab.
NHS – Keep Warm, Keep Well
The NHS has produced guidance on how and why to get the Flu and Covid-19 booster vaccinations ahead of the winter period, as well as other guidance on how to stay well in winter. This information is available in in large print, audio, British Sign Language and easy read versions.
SignHealth Flu Vaccination Guidance
SignHealth has produced flu vaccine guidance in British Sign Language.
UK Health Security Agency Cold Weather Information
Information to help prevent the major avoidable effects of cold weather on health. Includes guidance on supporting vulnerable people, staying safe in cold weather (available in various languages) and action cards for settings (including commissioners, voluntary and community sector, care services and healthcare settings).