UK snow maps show 600-mile ‘Beast from the East’ hitting 24 counties – full list | Weather | News
The UK could be set for a sharp return to winter weather as new weather maps reveal a 600-mile-long wall of cold weather and snow showers spreading across the UK at the start of 2026. The latest WXCharts maps for the New Year, created on December 21, show a classic “Beast from the East” developing, where freezing air from continental Europe pushes westward over the North Sea, bringing snow to the eastern, northern and even central parts of the country.
According to a WXCharts weather map providing a ‘Winter Overview’ for January 1, the snow cloud extends almost the entire length of the United Kingdom, extending about 600 miles from the east coast of northern Scotland into southern England and extending 300 to 350 miles inland. This puts large areas directly in the firing line as snow showers, icy conditions and overnight temperatures dip below zero. Meanwhile, temperature maps also valid for January 1 show parts of Scotland and northern England falling well below freezing, with common overnight lows falling below 0C, particularly inland.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise above freezing, especially in regions where snow cover develops. According to the chart, even at noon on New Year’s Day temperatures could still drop to -5C in central Scotland and near Newcastle, while temperatures in and around Birmingham will hover at -2C. Even London and much of southern England may remain below freezing; Temperatures can drop to -2C in Kent and Hampshire.
By 12pm on 1 January the warmest places in the UK will be Devon and Cornwall, the south-west coast of Wales, Stoke-on-Trent and the coastal areas of Northern Ireland (including near Belfast); Here temperatures are expected to rise to 4C above freezing near the coast.
Snow depth projections show 2-6cm over a fairly wide area, while 8-14cm is possible at higher elevations in northern England and Scotland. In fact, it is predicted that up to 4cm of ground will be covered by 6pm on January 1 in areas near Norwich and Ipswich. Outside Scotland, Middlesbrough is expected to see the highest snow depth in England, up to 5cm, according to WXCharts.
During WXCharts’ weather maps predict snow for January 1; It’s worth noting that the Met Office’s long-term forecast for this period does not yet show any snowfall. It indicates that the conditions will be cold. The forecast for December 25 to January 3 is as follows: “Mostly stable conditions are expected to persist as high pressure builds over the north of the UK. This will see wind from the east then north-east strengthening throughout the period, making the wind chill feel colder.”
“Although there will be quite dry weather in the air, winter weather will still be possible in some places, especially in the eastern and southern parts, and a few showers will still be possible, especially on higher ground. High pressure will probably dominate the weather conditions towards the New Year and gradually drift westward.
“This will maintain largely stable conditions, although there will be an increased chance of showers later in the period. Temperatures will be below average most of the time and frost is likely to occur where clear skies and light winds prevail.”
Regarding long-term forecasts, the Met Office warns: “Looking at forecasts beyond five days into the future, the chaotic nature of the atmosphere begins to play a larger role; minor events currently occurring over the Atlantic could have potentially significant impacts on our weather in the UK within a few days.”
