Met Office says 'stay indoors and call a friend' as cold snap set to grip UK

A cold snap is expected to hit the UK in the next few day, with those over 55 advised to stay indoors. The cold spell was set to grip the country and see temperatures drop to single digits.

WXCharts has predicted the mercury would plummet from Thursday and Friday (September 12 and 13). Birmingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff were likely to see minimum temperatures of 5C, according to the weather maps.

The Express reports that the long-range forecast between September 13 and 27 also suggests "cooler than average" temperatures. The Met Office has issued specific advice for older people, who may find the sudden weather shift challenging.

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Over on its advice page, 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 one per cent 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. In the home, eating at least one hot meal every day and drinking regular hot drinks helps, as does getting up and moving every now and again.”

Homes should be heated to at least 18C, according to the Met Office’s recommendations. It continued: “When the weather is really bad, it’s best to stay indoors. Why not make the time to call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or take up a new hobby or learn a new skill.

“Make sure to wrap up warm when going outside; you could try wearing multiple thinner layers so you can take a layer off if you get too warm. With bad weather and darker nights, it’s not unusual to feel a bit blue in the winter months."