A bitter and persistent cold snap has tightened its grip on the United Kingdom and much of Europe, prompting weather authorities to extend official warnings. The UK's Met Office has prolonged its alerts for frost and ice into the coming week, while a plunge in temperatures is forecast across central, western, and south-western parts of the European continent.
Frozen Landscapes from Liverpool to London
The effects of the freeze are being felt nationwide. In Liverpool, roads in areas like Lee Park have been blanketed by a layer of snow, transforming the urban landscape. Further south, the iconic fountains in London's Trafalgar Square have been partially frozen, a stark visual testament to the sub-zero conditions. The capital's green spaces have not been spared, with Richmond Park wearing a thick, white coat of frost.
Scotland is experiencing particularly harsh conditions, with Aberdeen seeing accumulations of up to 10cm of snow. The chill has also crossed the Irish Sea, where County Wicklow's mountain pass at the Wicklow Gap is adorned with long, dramatic icicles. In Northern Ireland, residents in Glenariffe have embraced the weather, with adults pulling delighted children on sleds through the snow.
European Neighbours Feel the Bite
The freezing conditions are widespread across Europe. The continent has been plunged into a wintry scene, with significant snowfall and icy temperatures. In the Austrian Tyrol, the historic stone ruins of Ehrenberg Castle stand sentinel on a rocky hilltop, surrounded by snow-dusted evergreen forests, presenting a picture-postcard scene.
Storm Anna has brought disruptive weather to the Netherlands, with heavy snowfall in cities like Nijmegen leaving bicycles buried under a white blanket. Meanwhile, in Germany, the cold has created rare opportunities for recreation, with people skating on the frozen Nymphenburg canal in front of Munich's majestic Nymphenburg Palace.
From Paris, where a woman treads carefully on snow-covered steps below the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, to Novi Sad in Serbia, where city centre barriers stand under renovation in the chill, the freeze is widespread. Even the British coastline has been transformed, as seen in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where walkers brave the snow along the seafront.
Warnings Extended as Deep Freeze Holds
With the Met Office warnings now extended into next week, authorities are urging continued caution. The key hazards remain black ice on untreated roads and pavements, posing a significant risk of accidents and falls. The prolonged nature of this cold spell, which took hold around Monday 5th January 2026, suggests that the picturesque but perilous conditions will persist.
Residents across the affected regions are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts, travel with care, and check on vulnerable neighbours as the severe winter weather maintains its hold. The coming days will test infrastructure and preparedness as the UK and Europe endure one of the first major freezing events of the year.
