Anyone going out in snow and ice this week is being urged to follow a ‘face mask rule’ to protect against the cold weather. The advice comes as multiple severe weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across the UK this week as cold Arctic air sweeps the country.
The Met Office has warned that snow, ice and freezing temperatures are forecast to last into the weekend, with winds of up to 60mph and heavy rain also on the cards from Thursday night into Friday. The weather warning coincides with amber cold weather health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all regions of England until Friday.
Households are being urged to prepare for the wintry weather by gathering essential items, including torches, batteries and blankets in the event of power cuts, and anyone heading out in snow and ice is urged to take precautions – including following a ‘face mask rule’.
Cold weather can be a trigger for people with respiratory conditions, so the NHS recommends wearing a scarf over your mouth like a face mask to help protect against the harsh temperatures.
According to the health service, using a scarf like a face mask allows air to warm up before it is breathed in, helping to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms being triggered. It’s also advised that you breathe in through your nose instead of your mouth as this also warms the air as you breathe.
The NHS says: “Cold weather is a common trigger for asthma symptoms. There are things you can do to help control your symptoms in the cold. Carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times and keep taking your regular preventer inhaler as prescribed. If you need to use your inhaler more than usual, speak to your doctor about reviewing your treatment.
“Keep warm and dry – wear gloves, a scarf and a hat, and carry an umbrella. Wrap a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth – this will help warm up the air before you breathe it.
“Try breathing in through your nose instead of your mouth – your nose warms the air as you breathe.”
Met Office advice also recommends that people plan to leave their house at least five minutes earlier than normal to reduce the risk of accidents, slips and falls, in the icy weather, and if travelling on foot, stick to pavements along main roads as these are likely to be less slippery. If cycling, it is best to stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Experts also recommend staying active and moving around at least once every hour in cold weather as this will help to keep your body warm, and stave off winter illnesses like colds, flu and more serious health problems, to eat at least one hot meal per day, alongside regular hot drinks, and to wear multiple layers of thin clothing as this helps to insulate your body by trapping heat.
Weather conditions are expected to be changeable throughout the week, which means the potential for more weather warnings to be issued, so people are urged to check the forecast to keep up to date.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “A deepening area of low pressure – named Storm Goretti by Meteo France – will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday. It will clash with the very cold air here, meaning Thursday night could be what we call a ‘multi-hazard’ event, with snow on the northern flank of the low, wind and rain on the southern flank.
“We have therefore issued a yellow warning for snow for parts of England and Wales, where heavy snow could lead to disruption and difficult travelling conditions. Strong winds associated with Storm Goretti may also lead to some disruption, and so in addition a yellow wind warning has been issued for southwest England.
“The exact track of the low is still uncertain, and these warnings are likely to be amended – and potentially escalated – over the coming days. It is therefore vital people keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts.”
