TEMPERATURES have barely reached above freezing across Tynedale this week with the cold snap set to last until the weekend.
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) covering all of England and will remain in place until Sunday, December 16.
People have been urged to take extra care on the county's roads, with drivers having to face icy and foggy conditions this week.
Warnings on the dangers of going on frozen bodies of water have also been issued following the death of three children after they were pulled from an icy lake in Solihull on Sunday.
Northumberland chief fire officer Paul Hedley said: "While frozen water can look attractive, as events have shown, it can be an extremely dangerous environment and lead to tragic consequences.
"With Northumberland, like many parts of the country, in the grip of freezing temperatures, ponds, lakes and rivers may well be iced over, and people are being urged not to go on them, however safe they think it might be."
READ MORE: £1.1m to be spent on Hexham - Here's how it will be used
Northumberland County Council's Director of Public Health, Liz Morgan, also urged people to check regularly on their friends, family and neighbours, with older people and those with underlying health conditions more likely to be affected by colder weather.
"Keeping the house warm is very important for older people, who can be more susceptible to illness if they’re cold, and increased fuel costs can be a real worry," said Ms Morgan.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, said: "Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
"If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18°C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer."
For those who are concerned about heating costs at home, the council is reminding people about the network of Warm Spaces in the county.
Residents can see where their nearest warm hub is by visiting the council's directory at https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Support/Types-of-support/Warm-Spaces.aspx
People on the lowest incomes in Tynedale will also receive a £25 Cold Weather Payment.
The Government payments have been triggered for eligible households in areas where the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.
The bank top-up of £25 will be in eligible people’s bank account within 14 days of the trigger, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.
People claiming pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, universal credit and support for mortgage interest could be eligible for the cold weather payments, DWP guidance says.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here