Britons celebrating the arrival of 2026 are being warned to prepare for a severe cold snap, with forecasters predicting snow, ice, and a significant drop in temperatures. The final days of 2025 are expected to be chilly but relatively settled, before conditions deteriorate sharply as the new year begins.
Met Office Issues Snow and Ice Warnings
The Met Office has raised the alarm for parts of Scotland, where a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is now in force. The alert, issued on Monday 29 December 2025, covers New Year's Day and Friday 2 January.
Regions affected include Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian (including Aberdeen), the Highlands, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Forecasters warn of frequent and heavy snow showers driven by a strong northerly wind, which could reach gale force in some areas.
Accumulations are expected to be substantial, with up to 10cm of snow likely at lower levels by Friday morning. On ground above 200 metres, 10-20cm could settle, and the highest terrain may see more than 30cm. The public is being urged to take extra care on the roads due to the hazardous conditions.
Nationwide Chill and Health Alerts Activated
The cold spell will not be confined to Scotland. According to Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England, the next few days will be cold and cloudy across the UK, with clearer spells bringing risks of overnight frost and fog. The south will be breezy, while the north will experience some hard frosts.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst confirmed that a high-pressure system is currently keeping things dry, but a shift is imminent. "As we move towards the new year, low pressure starts to dominate Scandinavia, and we see a colder northerly flow developing," he said. This will bring an increasing risk of sleet and snow showers for many, especially in the north from New Year's Day.
In response to the forecast, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued serious health warnings. An amber cold health alert is active for the North East and North West of England from 8pm on Sunday 28 December until 12pm on 5 January, where temperatures are predicted to plunge to around 3-5°C.
The agency states this weather is likely to have significant impacts, including a potential rise in deaths among the vulnerable, increased demand on health services, and challenges in keeping hospitals and care homes warm. A less severe yellow cold health alert covers all other English regions, including London, where temperatures will fall to around 4-6°C.
Vulnerable Urged to Take Precautions
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events at the UKHSA, emphasised the serious risks posed by the cold. "The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections," he stated. He urged the public to check on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable, particularly those over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.
The warning of disruptive weather follows a major winter storm in the United States, which caused travel chaos over the holiday period and led to a state of emergency being declared in New York.
