Britain is facing a treacherous return to work and school as severe winter weather blankets the nation, bringing blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and widespread travel disruption. The Met Office has issued a series of amber and yellow warnings, with the RAC declaring Monday 5th January 2026 the worst day of the year for vehicle breakdowns.
Widespread Warnings and Hazardous Conditions
Amber warnings for heavy snow and potential blizzards are in force for parts of northern Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, the Cairngorms, Orkney, and Shetland, until 10am on Monday. Forecasters warn that some isolated areas could see snow accumulations of 20cm to 30cm, with strong winds creating blizzard conditions that risk cutting off rural communities and causing power cuts.
Overnight, temperatures plunged to a biting -9.3C (15F) in Benson, south Oxfordshire, creating a widespread risk of ice on roads and pavements. This severe frost coincides with the first major post-Christmas commute, exacerbating travel difficulties for workers and parents.
National Disruption and School Closures
Virtually the entire UK is under some form of weather alert. A large swathe of England, along with all of Wales and Northern Ireland, is covered by yellow warnings for snow and ice expiring by midday Monday. These conditions have forced specific disruptions, with all schools closed in Shetland and a delayed 11am start for schools in Aberdeen.
Further yellow warnings extend the risk along much of the North Sea coastline, from north of Ipswich to East Lothian, until 11am on Tuesday. The Met Office indicates that scattered snow showers will push inland overnight Monday, with temperatures falling below freezing again and an added risk of lightning and gusty winds.
Breakdown Chaos and Health Warnings
The RAC has highlighted a perfect storm for motorists, dubbing the first working Monday of the year the peak day for vehicle breakdowns. The organisation blames flat batteries from vehicles left idle over the holidays, with the recent intense cold making older batteries particularly prone to failure.
In tandem with the travel warnings, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold-health alert for all regions of England, valid until 10am on 9th January. The amber warning indicates that the weather is likely to have significant impacts on health and social care, potentially leading to a rise in deaths among the vulnerable and those aged 65 and over.
Looking ahead, Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert stated that milder air will attempt to move east from Tuesday, turning snow to rain in the south. However, he cautioned that there remains a possibility of more organised snow along the boundary of the mild and cold air masses, with strong winds also likely later in the week.
