London: Snowfall and freezing conditions are expected across much of the UK as 2026 begins, with the Met Office warning of a cold and potentially disruptive start to the new year.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued, covering large parts of England and Wales from midnight to noon on January 2. The warning indicates that some areas could see snow accumulations of up to 5cm, particularly on higher ground in parts of North Wales and northwest England.
Separate yellow warnings have also been issued for Northern Ireland between midnight and 10 am on January 2, and for northern Scotland from 6 am on New Year’s Day through to the end of January 2.the
A yellow snow and ice warning is now in force across northeastern parts of Scotland ⚠️
More info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/gMMo2NoNVG
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 1, 2026
According to the Met Office, northern Scotland could experience heavier snowfall, with 10cm to 20cm forecast and as much as 30cm possible on the highest routes and hills. Strong winds are expected to lead to significant drifting of snow, while lightning has also been highlighted as a possible additional hazard.
As the yellow warnings come into force at the very start of 2026, travel disruption is likely. Road, bus, and rail users are being advised to prepare for longer journey times. The Met Office has also cautioned that icy surfaces may develop quickly as sleet and snow clear, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
Members of the public travelling on foot are advised to use pavements along main roads, which are more likely to be treated and less slippery. Cyclists are similarly encouraged to stick to main routes where possible.
The snow and ice warning affects a wide swathe of England and Wales, stretching from Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent. Impacted regions include the East Midlands, East of England, London and southeast England, northwest England, southwest England, Wales, and the West Midlands.
In addition to weather warnings, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued more serious cold-weather alerts for the opening days of 2026. Amber cold health alerts, previously in place for the northeast and northwest of England, have now been expanded. Yellow alerts have been upgraded to amber across the East Midlands, West Midlands, southeast, southwest, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
These health alerts will remain in force until 10 am on January 6. UKHSA warned that the cold conditions are likely to cause significant impacts on health and social care services, including a potential rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Paul Coleman, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said that temperatures are forecast to remain ‘very cold’ over the coming days. Coleman warned that prolonged exposure to low temperatures increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, especially among vulnerable groups.
The Consultant urged people to regularly check on elderly neighbours, friends, and family members as the severe cold continues into the early days of the new year.
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