Britain to be blanketed with snow and ice for new year as Met Office issues fresh weather warnings
Britons will start the new year with a shower of snow as the Met Office issues new weather warnings.
Up to 5cm of snow is expected to cover parts of the country from midnight on January 1, as the cold weather causes freezing temperatures for many people. Icy conditions will also cause disruptions as people travel across the country following New Year’s celebrations.
The yellow warning for snow and ice is in force from midnight until noon on Friday and covers large parts of England and Wales, from Chester and Greater Manchester to London and Kent.
Separate yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland from midnight to 10am on Friday, and in Northern Scotland from 6am until the end of Friday on New Year’s Day.
Forecasters are warning that up to 10cm of snow could accumulate in parts of Scotland by Friday as showers turn to snow north of Glasgow. Freezing conditions are expected to move south-east across parts of England and Wales on Thursday, with snowstorms expected to last two to three hours.
Approximately 1 to 2 cm of snow is expected to accumulate where it lands; 5 cm of snow is expected to accumulate in the higher parts of North Wales and the northwest of England.
The Met Office advises people to leave home at least five minutes earlier than usual to reduce the risk of slips and falls. He also urged people to check roads and public transport before traveling and to allow extra time for journeys.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: “We certainly look set to be in for a taste of ‘winter’ as we welcome the new year across the UK, initially in the north but more widely in the first week of 2026.
“Arctic air and strong northern winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, with particularly strong winds feeling chilly. Widespread and locally hard frosts are also expected, as well as the first snow of the winter for many.
“A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for northern Scotland on New Year’s Eve and beyond, where frequent and heavy snowfall may cause some disruption to travel.
“As we move into the new year, these colder conditions and winter hazards (snow, ice and strong winds) will develop more widely and more snow and ice warnings are likely to be issued. It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it’s important for people to stay up to date on the latest forecasts and warnings.”
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has also issued more serious warnings for the start of the year.
It had previously issued yellow cold health warnings for the North East and North West of England.
However, yellow alerts have been upgraded to yellow in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire, Humber and London.
These warnings will be valid from 20:00 on December 31 to 10:00 on January 6.
The UKHSA said this means the weather conditions are “likely” to cause significant impacts on health and social care services, including an “increase in deaths” among people with underlying health conditions or those aged 65 and over.
UKHSA health protection advisor Dr. Paul Coleman said: “It is forecast to be very cold across the UK for the next few days.
“Such low temperatures can have serious effects on the health of some people, especially the elderly and those with serious health conditions.
“Exposure to cold can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and chest infection.
“So it’s really important to check in on your friends, family and neighbors who are most vulnerable as cold weather approaches.”
Wednesday
A sunny, dry New Year’s Eve across much of England and Wales. More cloudy and scattered showers elsewhere. A cold day, winds in the north increasing later. Then showers will turn wintry in the Highlands of Scotland.
Nighty
Windy rain followed by showers across Scotland. It’s drier elsewhere, with clear spells especially in the south. Frost and scattered fog or mist under a clearer sky. I feel cold.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day will be cool and windy, especially in the north and east. Winter showers across northern Scotland and extending towards the west coast. Dry elsewhere with sunny spells.
Friday to Sunday
The cold continues with night frosts. Mostly dry, with some sunny weather expected, but wintry showers are also expected, particularly in the north and occasionally extending towards the west and east coasts.
