The United Kingdom is braced for a severe bout of wintry weather, with forecasters upgrading alerts to amber for heavy snow in parts of Scotland. The Met Office warnings signal a disruptive and potentially dangerous start to 2026 for many, with significant snowfall and blizzard conditions expected.
Amber Warnings: Timing and Impact
The most serious alerts are now in force. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for heavy snow showers across northern Scotland, including Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands. These warnings are active from midday on Friday, 2 January 2026, until midday on Saturday, 3 January.
Substantial accumulations are forecast, with 10-20cm of snow likely at low levels and 30-40cm possible on higher ground. Strong winds will combine with the snow, leading to temporary blizzard conditions and severe drifting.
The national weather service has warned that the conditions are likely to cause considerable disruption. This includes probable delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, interruptions to power supplies, and difficult conditions on the roads. Some rural communities could become cut off entirely.
Widespread Yellow Alerts for Snow and Ice
Beyond the amber zones, a broader swathe of the country is under yellow weather warnings. A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for Friday across large parts of England and Wales, stretching from Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent. This warning lasts from midnight until noon on Friday, with up to 5cm of snow possible, especially on higher ground in North Wales and northwest England.
Separate yellow warnings are active for Northern Ireland between midnight and 10am on Friday. In Scotland, yellow warnings for snow and ice are already in force, covering the northern part of the nation until midnight on Friday. These warnings then extend further south over the weekend, down to Perth and southerly parts of Argyll and Bute until midnight on Sunday.
Health Alerts Upgraded Amid Freezing Conditions
Alongside the travel disruption, public health authorities have raised concerns. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued upgraded cold health alerts. Amber cold health alerts are now in place across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These are in force until 10am on 6 January.
The UKHSA states this means the cold weather is "likely" to have significant impacts across health and social care services. It warns of an increased risk to vulnerable people, including a potential "rise in deaths" among those with existing health conditions or aged 65 and over.
Residents across the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest Met Office forecasts and travel information, check on vulnerable neighbours, and prepare for potential disruption as the UK weather turns sharply wintry.
