A COLD weather health warning has been issued for the north west with temperatures as low as -8C (18F) on Saturday.
Heavy fog could make driving difficult and sleet and snow will fall on the Pennines and moors over the weekend.
The Met Office and Department of Health have warned of the devastating effects of such a cold spell - even for those who stay indoors. Elderly and vulnerable people could suffer heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia as a result of freezing conditions, they warned.
The north west is the first region in the country to get the new cold weather health warning. It has the highest number of people living in fuel poverty and without central heating in England.
Daytime temperatures will be as low as 2-3C dropping as low as -8C in low-lying rural areas on Saturday night.
A Met Office spokesman said: "The cold daytime temperatures are actually more important than the night temperatures. It's safer to be tucked up in bed at night.
"There will be no or little sun over the weekend so it's essential to keep warm. If you don't need to venture out, stay home. And when you do go out, wrap up warm."
Those most at risk include the elderly, young children and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. But extreme cold is a danger to everyone, the Met Office said.
About 25,000 extra people die in England and Wales during an average winter.
Doctors and health professionals across the region are receiving email alerts to remind them to pass on key advice to vulnerable patients.
Eating regular hot food and drink can help keep warmth and energy levels up during a cold spell.
Vulnerable people should stay active - even if it's just vacuuming or taking a short walk, the alert warns.
Meteorologists triggered the warning today. It is expected to last until Sunday.
Dr Ruth Hussey, Met Office regional director of public health, said: "We want to provide people with as much advance warning of a cold spell as possible so that they can not only prepare themselves but also warn family, friends and neighbours who may be at risk."
Vulnerable people may qualify for winter grants and benefits including £300 to install or repair heating systems.
To find out more on applying for financial assistance and preparing for the colder weather, phone the Met Office on 0800 4081250 or go to metoffice.gov.uk/coldweatheralert.
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What exactly are you meant to do with this new nugget of information? Because I'm sure people would be ignoring weather forecasts and leaving the house in shorts and sombreros if it weren't for such a thing.
Hold on I thought the planet was warming up and Tuvalu was under water and so on and so on...Where are the climate change con artists.... wrapping up well I hope.
Shall I turn my heating on or pay the congestion charge and try and survive without it will be the question North West minimum wage earners who live in areas the bus companies cant reap huge profits from will be asking themselves in the future.
Don't believe them, the planet is overheating.
kill off the old and vulnerable bring in immigrants to do cheap labour,i think thats the plan,turn the heating off in the prisons let them peddle bikes to keep warm and generate the national grid if they are overflowing bringing the fuel prices down for the poor,all the cctv is probably why are bills so high so big brother can spy on everyone at ordinary folks expense.
lower fuel bills and we will stop in after loading up on shopping and just watch the tv and this way we wont get robbed and all the little chavs and chavettes can stay out drinking and smoking in the cold and no one wil, be bothered one bit,put up the tree let the dog out to do his dutys and all will be well.
Happys days.
Thanks for the advice. I've been wondering why I've been so cold still walking about in my shorts and t'shirt.
This global warming just isn't happening is it? That's why they've changed its name.
No need to watch the weather reports then.........
Once again the UK is grinding to a halt because of some snow. Its the same thing every year. How come other countries manage, but the wrong sort of snow makes the UK stall.
Anyone who believes that Global warming is the figment of some Politicians imagination is either, in denial, or ignorant .
The evidence and facts are overwhelming that the planet is getting warmer,scientists and experts in the field have been studying and recording world temperatures for years.
While some countries may benefit in the short term,the consequences for the future of earth in the long term are not good.
Northern Europe may experience colder winters ,as the gulf stream which moderates winter temps may not be as effective as in the past.
I have witnessed first hand the receding Glaciers in North America,thousands of square miles of pine forest dying from the mountain pine beetle infestations caused by warmer winters.
North Americans are as guilty as anyone else in the world when it comes to fossel fuel consumption,and a lot needs to be done to remedy this.
After reading the cold weather article it reminded me of why I left Manchester and came to the Gold Coast in Australia. We have just had a shower of rain and it's still 26deg. Oh how I miss England " I think not, especially the awful weather"
Audrey W.Gold Coast Australia
Well bully for you audrey but what will happen when australia is to warm and the heat gets so unbarable that you cannot go out at all for the risk of just melting,skin cancer and other things,id sooner have a happy medium and say move to portugal.