The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging people to take precautions after new estimates indicated that approximately 2,200 deaths were linked to cold weather across five cold snaps in England during winter 2025-26.
The most serious incident, a nine-day stretch in early January, was associated with an estimated 1,563 cold-related deaths. The North West recorded the highest mortality rate, with 52 cold-related deaths per million population, followed by the East Midlands and Yorkshire and The Humber.
Regional variations in cold-related mortality
The report also revealed that regional variations in cold-related mortality do not necessarily mirror differences in winter temperatures. Despite the North East experiencing colder temperatures than numerous other regions, no cold-related deaths were recorded there during the monitoring period, UKHSA said.
Regional disparities may be affected by factors including housing standards, home heating, population health, and how individuals adapt to cold weather, experts noted, although additional research is required to better comprehend the reasons behind these variations.
Circulatory diseases and flu trends
Circulatory diseases accounted for the greatest number of cold-related deaths, with an estimated 757 deaths attributed to these conditions. Flu and pneumonia demonstrated a different trend, with mortality risk rising during both extremely cold weather and certain milder periods, suggesting "a complex interaction between cold weather and seasonal infections".
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "Cold weather poses a serious risk to health, particularly for people who are more vulnerable because of their age, health, or living circumstances. Our cold weather mortality report shows that around 2,200 people died as a result of very low temperatures last winter."
Who is most at risk and how to protect yourself
Those most susceptible to the dangers of cold weather include people living in poorly insulated homes or experiencing fuel poverty, people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, people aged 65 years and over, and people with dementia.
Dr Sousa added: "While this estimate of cold-associated deaths is lower than we saw during the previous winter, these figures show that even short periods of cold weather can have serious effects on health and can lead to increased deaths in the days and weeks that follow. As we head into winter, it is important that everyone takes simple steps to protect themselves and others. This includes keeping parts of our homes warm, checking in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable, and following weather forecasts and public health advice during cold weather."
