Londoners are waking up to a capital in the deep freeze, with the mercury plunging to a bone-chilling -8C overnight on Monday 5 to Tuesday 6 January 2026, marking the coldest night of the winter so far. While the city has yet to see significant snowfall this week, the icy conditions have set the stage, and forecasters now indicate that snow could finally arrive.
When is Snow Forecast for London?
According to both BBC Weather and the Met Office, the most likely window for snow in the capital is overnight on Thursday 8 January. They predict that rain will turn to snow during the night before conditions become windy. Friday 9 January is then expected to start cloudy, with any remaining rain and snow clearing eastwards throughout the day.
Temperatures across these two days are forecast to range from a chilly 1C to 6C. While the broad timing points to the overnight period, meteorologists stress that pinpointing the exact hour snow will fall remains difficult this far out.
How Much Snow Will London Get?
Don't expect a major winter wonderland. Forecasters are predicting only a light sprinkling of snow for London during this period. Any accumulation is likely to be minimal and should clear relatively quickly, especially as conditions turn windy. It will be more of a fleeting dusting than a thick, disruptive blanket.
Weather Warnings and Travel Disruption
While the Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings for snow and ice across large swathes of the UK for Tuesday, London and the South East are not currently covered. However, the capital is under a separate yellow warning for ice from midnight until 10am on Wednesday 7 January, so commuters should take care on untreated surfaces.
Although no warnings are in place for London later in the week, travellers should be aware that national rail services could be disrupted by conditions elsewhere in the country, potentially affecting journeys in and out of the city.
The deep freeze serves as a sharp reminder that winter has firmly taken hold. While London's predicted snowfall looks set to be light, the combination of ice, wind, and freezing temperatures means residents should stay updated with the latest forecasts and plan their travel accordingly.
