UK hit by big freeze as Met Office extends weather warnings for snow and ice

Britons are set for a freezing first weekend of 2026 as Arctic winds bring a cold snap across the UK, prompting warnings of travel chaos, blizzards and power cuts.

Multiple weather warnings for snow and ice have been extended into Monday, with as much as 40cm of snowfall possible in the highest parts of Scotland.

The Met Office has issued amber weather alerts for parts of Scotland from midday on Friday for 24 hours as forecasters warn harsh conditions pose a potential “risk to life”. It also warned that up to 20cm of snow could settle on low ground and up to 40cm on higher ground, while indicating that disruption to road, rail and air travel is likely.

Rural communities could be cut off, with cars becoming stranded in heavy snow, and cuts to power and mobile phone services are possible, the forecaster said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued amber cold health alerts for England until 9 January, warning that increased deaths are likely due to the freezing temperatures.

The warnings came even as the Met Office confirmed that 2025 was the warmest since records began; the mean average UK temperature across the year was 10.09C, beating the previous record of 10.03C set just three years earlier in 2022.

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Yellow weather warnings are in place across swathes of southwest England and Wales, with those on the east coast and the South West extended into Monday.

On Saturday, yellow warnings remain in force in southwest England, and have also been issued along the east coast from Newcastle to Norwich. Temperatures are expected to settle at around 1C for most of the country, with the mercury dipping below freezing in parts of Scotland.

Icy conditions are set to move westwards on Sunday, with a yellow warning covering parts of Greater Manchester, Wales, and southwest England from 3pm to midday on Monday, with temperatures remaining at around 1C.

Blizzards are expected across the UK, including in areas not yet covered by weather warnings. Showers are predicted to become increasingly wintry overnight into Saturday, with some snow possible in Wales. These will move further inland during the early hours of Saturday, becoming frequent and perhaps heavy at times, forecasters said.

Around 1-3cm of snow is likely to accumulate widely, with 5-8 cm possible in places like the North York Moors throughout Saturday, according to the Met Office. The snow showers will gradually become lighter and less frequent during Saturday evening, and move offshore overnight.

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Snow showers are expected to push further inland across Wales, parts of northwest England, the West Midlands and southwest England during Sunday evening. Around 1–3cm of snow is expected to fall in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5–8cm to build up in a few locations, particularly across inland and higher parts of Wales.

Forecasters are warning people to check travel conditions, leave extra time for journeys, and prepare for power cuts on the highest ground in Scotland.

Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “With Arctic air now covering most of the UK, very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0C for some.

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“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue, with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check on loved ones during the cold snap: “As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

On Shetland, forecasters said accumulations of 10-15cm of snow are likely at low levels, with 20-30cm possible on high ground.

Highland Council said it has received reports of campervans and cars stuck on ice in tourist hotspots, and it advised motorists to drive with caution.

Wintry conditions have led to the closure of several snow gates in northern Scotland. Traffic Scotland said the snow gates on the A93 Braemar-Glenshee, A939 Tomintoul-Cockbridge, B974 Cairn O’Mount-Fettercairn and at Bealach na Ba were shut on Friday morning.

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A cold and frosty start for all on Saturday. Snow showers continue across windward coasts, with further spells of prolonged snow likely across parts of northeast Scotland. Feeling very cold.

Plenty of sunshine through the period, though sleet and snow showers especially affecting areas exposed to the northerly wind. Remaining cold throughout with widespread night frosts. Showers easing from Monday.