Posted on Friday 5th February 2021
People are urged to check, safely, on vulnerable friends and neighbours as very cold weather is forecast to arrive this weekend for several days.
Staffordshire residents are warned to plan for the prospect of a cold snap beginning this weekend.
While the possibility of snow is still being monitored closely, the Met Office expects temperatures to fall below freezing for several days as cold air arrives from Scandinavia.
David Williams, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “Our gritting fleet will be on standby as usual and will act as needed to keep Staffordshire’s road network open for those who do need to be out and about at the moment.
“But I would also urge people to stay warm and well and prepare for the possibility that we may have several days of very cold weather stretching into next week.
“Not only should we prepare for ourselves but please check, in a safe way, with elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours to make sure they can cope and that they have food, heating and any necessary medicines.”
Incorporating wind chill, it’s anticipated that even daytime temperatures will be several degrees below freezing, perhaps -6oC, 21.2oF, or lower.
Public Health England (PHE) warns that cold weather can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections for those with heart and lung problems.
PHE advice for coping with a cold snap includes:
- keep your home heated to at least 18oC, 64.4oF, or at least the lounge to that temperature by day and your bedroom by night;
- keep bedroom windows closed at night as breathing cold air increases the chance of chest infection;
- wear several layers of thin clothing, preferably made from cotton, wool, or fleecy fibres;
- have enough food, drink and necessary medication at home to prevent going out;
- tuck curtains behind radiators and don’t obstruct them with furniture;
- don’t use a gas cooker or oven to provide heating: it’s inefficient and potentially dangerous.