The Met Office has warned that a weakened polar vortex could bring snow, frost and freezing temperatures to parts of the UK this week, prompting advice for over-55s to adopt a 'thin clothing' rule.
The polar vortex, which hovers between 10 to 50km above the Earth's surface and circulates a mass of extremely cold air over the North Pole, has been "weakened" and disrupted. The forecaster described this as an "exceptional development" for this time of year, warning it could bring colder, drier conditions to the UK, with a heightened risk of frost, fog, sleet and snow showers.
Cold snap expected to persist into Friday
The cold wintry conditions are expected to persist into Friday. With the bitter cold snap on the horizon, people aged 55 and over are being encouraged to take precautions against the freezing temperatures. This is particularly important as colder conditions place greater strain on the body as we age, forcing it to work considerably harder to maintain warmth.
The Met Office said: "As we get older, our body has to work harder to keep us warm. From about the age of 55+, we lose around 1% of our muscle mass every year. It doesn't sound like a lot, but our muscle keeps us warm. So it's really important to wrap up warm when you go outside."
Multiple layers for better insulation
According to the Met Office, donning multiple thin layers of clothing will actually prove more effective at keeping you warm in cold conditions, as heat becomes trapped between each layer, providing far greater insulation against the elements.
Specialists also advise remaining active and venturing outdoors for a stroll, even during cold spells, and if going outside isn't possible, ensuring you get up and move around at least once every hour.
In its cold weather guidance, the Met Office said: "With many of us having to spend more time at home it can make it harder to keep active. It's important to continue to do what you can to stay active as this can help with both your physical and mental health.
"Try to keep moving when you are indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Break up your time spent being inactive by walking around your home or standing up from your chair when you are on the phone.
"If you are heading outside for a walk or maybe some gardening, wear several layers of light clothes. Remember that several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer as the layers trap warm air.
"It doesn't matter what you do to keep active, as long as it's something you enjoy and keeps you moving. There is strong evidence that people who are active have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and can also reduce the risk of falling."
Preparing for snow and icy spells
The Met Office additionally urges households to stay abreast of weather forecasts as conditions can deteriorate rapidly, and to brace for snowy and icy spells by stocking up on essential supplies at home in the event of power cuts or winter storms. These include torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack, blankets, warm clothing and essential food items, such as bread, bottled water, milk, tinned goods, cereal, snack foods and dried pasta.
The Met Office added: "We are so reliant on the internet, but if a storm meant power and mobile phone networks were affected, what would you do? Consider a separate battery charger, and you could store key information such as the power cut helpline number (105) on your phone.
"Make sure you have basic supplies in case you have to leave home quickly, or your power and water are disrupted. It's worth putting together a 'grab bag', with bottled water, medicines, a torch, radio and batteries, copies of important documents and a change of clothes."
