The United Kingdom is braced for a wintry and disruptive start to 2026, with significant snowfall forecast for large parts of the country. The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, prompting concerns over transport chaos and public health.
Widespread Warnings for Snow and Ice
The national forecaster has placed a yellow warning for snow and ice across much of England and Wales, effective from midnight until noon on Friday, 2 January. This alert stretches from Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent, encompassing multiple regions including the East Midlands, the east of England, and the southwest.
Within this zone, accumulations of up to 5cm are predicted, with higher ground in North Wales and northwest England likely to see the deepest cover. Separate warnings are active for Northern Ireland from midnight until 10am on Friday, and for northern Scotland from 6am on New Year's Day until the end of Friday.
Heavy Snow and Drifting Forecast for Scotland
The most severe conditions are anticipated north of the border. The Met Office warns that northern Scotland could see a substantial 10cm to 20cm of snowfall, with a potential for 30cm on the highest routes and hills. Strong winds are expected to cause significant snow drifting, creating hazardous conditions. The forecaster also noted that lightning "may well be an additional hazard" in these areas.
As the sleet and snow clears, icy surfaces will develop rapidly, increasing the risk of injuries from slips and falls. The public is advised to use main road pavements when walking, as these are more likely to be treated and less slippery. Cyclists are urged to stick to major treated routes.
Travel Disruption and Health Alerts Issued
The impending cold snap is set to impact transport networks nationwide. Travellers are being urged to prepare for longer journey times by road, bus, and train from New Year's Day onwards.
Concurrently, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has escalated its cold health warnings. It has upgraded yellow alerts to amber across several regions, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, southeast, southwest, east of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These amber alerts, indicating that cold weather is likely to have significant impacts on health and social care, will be in place from 8pm on Wednesday, 31 December until 10am on Tuesday, 6 January.
The UKHSA stated this level of warning means the weather conditions are likely to increase the risk of death among vulnerable individuals, including those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions.
In light of the warnings, authorities are advising the public to prepare for potential power cuts or being cut off from services. Simple preparations such as gathering torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack are recommended to help people cope better with the severe winter weather.
