Weather alerts for snow have been heightened from yellow to amber with a chilly start to 2026. The Met Office upgraded the warnings for heavy snow showers in parts of the Highlands and north-east Scotland from Friday midday to Saturday midday. Accumulations of 10-20cm of snow are probable at lower levels, with up to 30-40cm on high ground, along with potential temporary blizzard conditions due to winds. Travel disruptions, power outages, and road disturbances are expected, with rural communities possibly isolated.
Snow and ice warnings are currently in effect on New Year’s Day in Scotland. The Met Office projects snow accumulation of 2-5cm by Thursday evening, 10cm by Friday morning, and up to 20cm above 200 meters. The warning remains in place until Friday midnight, extending southward over the weekend to Perth and southerly parts of Argyll and Bute until Sunday midnight.
Cold temperatures are anticipated nationwide on New Year’s Day, with temperatures reaching 5C in Belfast, 7C in London, 6C in Manchester, 3C in Edinburgh, and 8C in Cardiff. The Met Office advised caution for those near eastern coasts due to high winds bringing large waves and higher tides.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is issued for various regions in England and Wales from midnight to noon on Friday. Snow accumulation of up to 5cm is likely in some areas, especially on higher ground in parts of North Wales and north-west England. Separate yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland until 10 am on Friday.
Precautions are advised for longer travel times on roads, buses, and trains due to the icy conditions. Slippery surfaces can lead to injuries as snow and sleet clear quickly. The Met Office emphasized the risk of disruptive snow showers and icy surfaces, with ongoing cold temperatures and possible further warnings as snow showers persist.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued alerts for the beginning of the year, upgrading yellow alerts to amber across several regions, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, and London, lasting until January 6. The agency warned of significant health impacts due to the cold weather, potentially leading to a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups. Dr. Paul Coleman from the UKHSA stressed the importance of checking on at-risk individuals during the cold weather spell.