Britons to ring in the new year with snow, ice and gale-force winds
Northern parts of England may be affected by snow and high winds as the new year begins.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for parts of the north of Scotland’s central belt from 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on Friday, January 2.
The warning covers the whole of northern Scotland, with the affected areas and local authorities being Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland and Strathclyde.
These areas will be hit by strong, potentially storm-force north winds, according to the forecaster.
As of Friday morning, approximately 10 cm of snow depth is expected to settle in some regions and reach 30 cm on the highest roads and hills.
The Met Office said: “Given the strength of the wind, significant snow drift is likely. Lightning may also pose an additional hazard.”
New Year’s Eve will largely thaw for many in the UK, but winds and showers will increase in Scotland. Temperatures are then expected to drop at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, yellow cold health warnings have been issued for the North East and North West of England; These warnings will continue until noon on January 5 and temperatures are expected to be between 3C and 5C.
Mark Sidaway, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, said of the yellow weather warning: “It certainly looks like we’re 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 Day 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.”
George Fiddes, from Transport Scotland, said: “Cold weather is expected this week which will impact driving conditions, particularly in yellow warning areas, so our advice to drivers is to plan your journey, allow extra time if necessary and drive to the conditions.
He added: “There may also be disruption to other modes of transport, so if you are planning to travel by rail, ferry or air please check with your operator before setting off.”
