Temperatures are set to plummet to below freezing in parts of Dorset, with elderly and vulnerable people 'at risk.'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for the county and, along with the Met Office, has warned that Dorset and other regions across the country will experience bitterly cold conditions. 

The weather alert is in place from 6pm on Sunday, February 5, to 6pm on Tuesday, February 7, with the Met Office predicting lows of 0 degrees in Weymouth, -1 in Dorchester and 1C in Portland. 

The UKHSA is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of cold weather.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, with older people and those with heart or lung conditions, particularly at risk.

"It’s important to check in on family, friends and relatives who are more vulnerable to the cold weather. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18°C if you can."

David Oliver, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "From Sunday and into early next week an area of high pressure will dominate the UK’s weather. 

"This will bring some cold nights with a widespread frost across the country. However, by day temperatures will recover to around mid-single figures, near normal for the time of year."

Warm Spaces

Mondays:

St Mary's Church: 43 St Mary's Street, Weymouth 10:30 am - 12:30 pm DT4 8PU

St Aldhem's Church lounge: Spa Road, Weymouth 12:30 pm-3 pm DT3 5EW

Methodist Hall, Newstead Road Westham 10:30 am-3:30 pm DT4 0AR

Weymouth Library and Learning centre 2:30 pm to 4 pm DT4 8NN

Portland Community Venue, 6.30pm-8.00pm DT5 1JN

Portland Library 10:30am-12:00 pm DT5 1HG

The Islanders Youth and Community Centre 9.30am-12.00 pm

Tuesdays:

Hope URC: Trinity Street, Old Harbour, Weymouth DT4 8TW

St Mary's Church: 43 St Mary's Street, Weymouth 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

Portland Community Venue, 6.00pm - 7.30pm DT5 1JN

Wednesdays:

St Joseph's Church Hall: 1 Stavordale, Westham. 2 pm-4 pm DT4 0AB

St Mary's Church: 43 St Mary's Street, Weymouth 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

St Ann's Church, Radipole Lane 11 am-2 pm DT3 5HS

Portland Town Council Building 10 am-4 pm DT5 1JN

Portland Community Venue 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm DT5 1JN

Thursdays:

St Joseph's Church Hall: 1 Stavordale, Westham 10:30 am-2:30 pm 

Ebenezer Church Hall 10am-12pm DT4 0JQ

Weymouth Family Church Hall. 10.30 am-12 pm DT4 8NP

St Aldhem's Church lounge: Spa Road Weymouth 10 am-1 pm.

Weymouth Bay Methodist Church DT4 7TH 10am-12pm

Fish ‘n’ Fritz, DT4 8DD 9am-11am

Fridays:

St Paul's Church Hall DT4 0BJ 10am-4 pm

Littlemoor Community Centre 11 am and 2 pm

Saturdays: 

St Paul's Church Hall DT4 0BJ 10am-4pm

If there is a warm space that isn't on this list you can contact us at: newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk with applicable details which we can add to this register.