A severe and bitter cold snap has tightened its grip on the United Kingdom, with the Met Office extending a raft of weather warnings for snow and ice into Monday, 5 January 2026. The Arctic outbreak is causing significant disruption, particularly in Scotland where amber alerts are in force, and poses a serious risk to health and transport nationwide.
Amber Alerts and Widespread Disruption
Amber warnings for heavy snow showers are active across parts of northern Scotland, including Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands, until midday on Saturday. These areas are braced for substantial accumulations, with 10-20cm likely at low levels and a potential for 30-40cm on higher ground. Strong winds may also lead to temporary blizzard conditions.
The icy conditions have already caused major travel problems. Several key Scottish roads, including the A93 at Braemar-Glenshee and the A939 at Tomintoul-Cockbridge, were closed on Friday morning due to shut snow gates. Police Scotland has urged drivers not to ignore road closures, emphasising they are for public safety. Highland Council reported vehicles, including campervans, becoming stuck on ice in tourist areas.
National Impact and Extended Warnings
The freezing weather is not confined to Scotland. A blanket of snow covered parts of England on Friday, with a light dusting seen as far south as Kent. The Met Office has issued multiple yellow warnings for snow and ice across most of Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of southwest and eastern England.
These warnings are set to persist, with an alert for much of Northern Ireland active from 3pm Friday until midday on Monday, and eastern England expected to face blizzardy conditions on Saturday and Monday. The public is being warned to prepare for widespread impacts, including probable delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, road disruption, and possible power cuts.
Public Health Warning Issued
Alongside the travel chaos, the cold poses a severe threat to health. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold-health alert for all regions of England, which will remain until 10am on 9 January. This level of alert indicates that the weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care, including a potential rise in deaths among vulnerable individuals aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks stated that "bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week," with daytime temperatures struggling to get above freezing for some and overnight lows potentially plunging to minus double figures. Authorities are urging everyone to stay #WeatherAware, check forecasts regularly, and plan journeys carefully due to icy roads and slippery surfaces.
