Snow and Ice Warnings Cover UK This Weekend
Snow and ice warnings cover much of the UK this weekend, with sub-zero temperatures, travel disruption, power cuts, and health risks affecting millions.
Snow and frost warnings remain in effect for much of the UK this weekend and beyond.
An amber snow warning is in effect until noon in Scotland. Yellow snow and frost warnings remain in effect until Monday in the southwest, northwest, and east coasts of England, and in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Heavy snow has already fallen in parts of Scotland, with the Met Office predicting up to 40 cm (15 in) of snow there and up to 5 cm in England and Wales.
Daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the low single digits across most of the country, and below freezing in parts of northern Scotland.
Travel delays and cancellations, road blockages, and power outages are expected.
ScotRail has warned that trains may be cancelled or delayed, and Highland Council has asked people not to travel unless "absolutely essential."
2026 has begun with very cold weather across large parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, as cold Arctic air has caused temperatures to drop sharply across the UK.
On Friday night, the Met Office expects temperatures to drop below zero across the country, with minimum temperatures of -6°C to -8°C across much of Scotland and -4°C to -5°C across rural areas of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
On Saturday, temperatures will barely rise above freezing across the UK, with snow forecast across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the southwest and east coasts of England, while winter sunshine is expected elsewhere.
The Met Office's more severe amber warning in Scotland, which warns of possible delays to rail and air travel and some dangerous conditions due to "obstructive snow," will remain in effect until 12:00 on Saturday.
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Areas expected to experience "blizzard-like conditions" include Angus, Perth and Kinross, Grampian, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and parts of the Highlands. The Met Office has warned that power outages and vehicle stranding are possible in these areas.
With names like Sir Andy Flurry, Robert Bruns, and the Plough of Scotland, the Scottish gritter and snowplow fleet is working in full force on the country's road network.
Yellow warnings for snow and frost will continue on Sunday and Monday for many areas of the UK already covered over the weekend, with the last warning ending on Monday afternoon.
A full list of affected areas is available from the Met Office. Problems have already begun in some areas of Scotland: ScotRail has cancelled some train services, and there are also road and ferry disruptions.
Meanwhile, National Highways reported several accidents in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire, and motorists have been advised to take alternative routes wherever possible.
People are being asked to plan their routes carefully and keep essential items in their cars in case of delays. Key items to bring include warm clothing, water, blankets, and ice scrapers.
Health Secretary Wes Street has warned that the "extreme cold" will put additional pressure on NHS hospitals and urged people to only go to A&E for emergencies.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning for all of England, which will remain in effect until January 9.
Its amber cold health alert means the weather is expected to have a serious impact on health and social care services.
This alert has been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
According to UKSA, the predicted temperatures could have serious health effects for some people, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, especially for those over 65 and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
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