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Guidance

Adverse Weather and Health Plan

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan aims to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.

Updates to this page

From:
UK Health Security Agency and Centre for Climate and Health Security
Published:
27 April 2023
Last updated:
22 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. Fixed link to user guide.

  2. Added Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2026 to 2027.

  3. Removed the Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2023 to 2024 as it has been superseded by the 2024 to 2025 report.

  4. Added annual report for 2024 to 2025.

  5. Added links to flood-health action cards in Appendix 4 of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2026 to 2026.

  6. Added new version of user guide.

  7. Added new version of Adverse Weather and Health Plan.

  8. Added annual report for 2023 to 2024.

  9. Added the 'Stay well this winter leaflet 2024'.

  10. Information added to User Guide: • display of alerts on the UKHSA Data Dashboard • HHA action card for national government

  11. Updated text on page 39 (DLUHC) and page 43 (LRFs).

  12. Added link to the equity review under "further resources" and added new versions of main report and supporting evidence document.

  13. Added easy-read versions of main guidance and user guide.

  14. Added new version of User Guide with reworded text under Red (emergency response).

  15. Added new version of user guide.

  16. Updated sections 6.1.1.8 and 6.1.3.4 in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan.

  17. Amended date discrepancy in user guide.

  18. Added link to Weather-Health Alerting System.

  19. Added link to AWHP joint statement on the NHS website.

  20. Updated AWHP, supporting evidence and user guide.

  21. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2026 to 2027

Ref: GOV-20651

PDF, 1.45 MB, 82 pages

Adverse Weather and Health Plan – easy read

Ref: UKHSA publications gateway number GOV-16177

PDF, 1.86 MB, 21 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Adverse Weather and Health Plan annual report 2024 to 2025

Ref: GOV-19904

PDF, 1.2 MB, 42 pages

Adverse Weather and Health Plan: supporting evidence

Ref: GOV-16013

PDF, 1.33 MB, 83 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) builds on existing measures taken by the UK government, its agencies, NHS England and local authorities. The AWHP outlines key areas where the public sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, health and social care organisations and local communities can work together to maintain and improve integrated arrangements for planning and response to deliver the best outcomes possible during adverse weather.

The AWHP brings together and builds on the previous Heatwave Plan for England and the Cold Weather Plan for England.

The AWHP is underpinned by:

  • supporting evidence that underlines the activities and scientific evidence
  • guidance and support materials
  • the Weather-Health Alerts (heat and cold), developed in partnership with the Met Office

A joint statement underscoring the AWHP, Heat Health Alerts, and its aims to keep people safe during the coming and future summers has been developed in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the Met Office, and the Local Government Association. It is available on the NHS England website.

Further resources

AWHP: equity review and impact assessment 2024

Hot weather advice

Cold weather advice

Weather-Health Alerting System

Flooding: health guidance and advice

Public health impact of drought: advice for the public

Stay well this winter leaflet 2024

Weather-Health alerting system user guide

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