Extreme cold weather continues across the South

Thursday, 8 January 2026 06:00

An amber cold health alert remains in force across the South until Friday, with renewed warnings about the dangers of frozen rivers and lakes.

The National Water Safety Forum is urging people to stay well away from icy waterways, warning that ice can give way without warning and turn deadly in seconds. The advice follows fatal incidents in recent winters where people have lost their lives after falling through ice while walking, playing, or attempting rescues.

Safety experts say trying to help someone who has fallen through the ice can quickly turn one emergency into two. Children and dogs are considered particularly vulnerable, with pets often running onto frozen water and owners instinctively following. Snow, fallen leaves and low winter light can also make it harder to spot thin ice or the edge of the water, increasing the risk of slips and falls.

If someone does fall through ice, they should be encouraged to stay calm and float on their back to control their breathing while emergency services are called. If a dog falls in, owners are advised not to go onto the ice, but to call the animal towards them from solid ground and seek help.

Meanwhile, a yellow weather warning for gusty winds will affect Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight from 3pm today until 6am on Friday.

Snow showers are also possible across Sussex and Hampshire as the cold conditions continue.

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