Weather-Health Alerting (WHA) system
The Weather-Health Alerting (WHA) system provides an early warning when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.
Applies to England
CCHS navigation menu:
CCHS homepage
Topic: climate-related hazards
Hazard: all climate-related hazards, heat
Resources for Weather-Health Alerting system:
- Summary - Weather Health Alerting system
-
Weather-Health alerting system: user guide (pdf)
- Weather-Health Alerting System: user guide – easy read (pdf)
Resources for heat:
More content:
Summary
The WHA system is provided by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in partnership with the Met Office. When adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population, this alerting system is intended to provide early warning to:
- the health and social care sector
- the responder community
- the voluntary and community sector
- government departments
The WHA system underpins the Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP). The WHA system consists of Heat-Health Alerts (HHA) which operate from 1 June to 30 September each year and Cold-Health Alerts (CHA) which operate from 1 November to 30 March every year. An out-of-season alert may still be issued if impacts from adverse weather on health (heat or cold) are expected.
In line with other weather warning systems in operation within England (and the UK), WHAs are issued when the weather conditions have the potential to impact the health and wellbeing of the population.
The alerts are given a colour (yellow, amber or red) based on the combination of the impact the weather conditions could have, and the likelihood of those impacts being realised. These assessments are made in partnership with the Met Office when adverse weather conditions are indicated within the forecast.
Figure 1. Colour system for the Weather-Health Alerting system
Green (preparedness) - no alert is issued as the conditions are likely to have minimal impact on health; business as usual; summer or winter planning and preparedness activities
Yellow (response) - these alerts cover a range of situations; yellow alerts may be issued during periods of heat or cold that would be unlikely to impact most people but could impact those who are particularly vulnerable
Amber (enhanced response) - an amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with potential for the whole population to be at risk; non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts and a more significant coordinated response may be required
Red (emergency response) - a red alert indicates significant risk to life for even the healthy population
Register to receive Weather-Health Alerts
Weather-Health Alerts are distributed by email to all those who have registered to receive them once they are issued. If you would like to receive the alerts, register below and share the link with anyone you feel should be receiving them.