Britain is set to usher in the New Year with a significant wintry blast, as new weather maps forecast snow across 33 regions before Saturday. The Met Office has issued stark warnings of bitterly cold conditions set to grip the nation from New Year's Day and throughout the first week of 2026.
Widespread Snow and Ice Warnings Issued
The national weather service has activated a yellow severe weather warning for snow and ice, primarily for northern Scotland initially. The forecaster cautions that significant snow accumulations are possible by Friday morning, with showers turning increasingly to snow throughout Thursday.
Mark Sidaway, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, stated that the UK is in for a definitive taste of winter. "Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds," he explained. "Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many."
Regions Set for Disruption
The cold spell is expected to start in the north before spreading more widely across the country. The Met Office emphasises that even a small amount of snow can cause major disruption in the UK, and predicting its exact path remains challenging due to factors like elevation and distance from the coast.
The full list of areas forecast to see snow includes numerous Scottish counties and extends into England and Wales. Key English regions mentioned are:
- Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire
- Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Herefordshire
- Greater London, Norfolk, and Gloucestershire
- Somerset
In Wales, areas from Anglesey to Pembrokeshire are also on alert.
A Prolonged Cold Spell for January
This is not expected to be a brief cold snap. Forecasters believe the freezing conditions will last through at least the first week of January 2026. The Met Office warns that wintry hazards including snow, ice, and strong winds will develop more widely as the New Year begins, with further weather warnings likely to be issued.
Mr Sidaway urged the public to stay vigilant: "It's important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings." Residents across the listed regions are advised to prepare for potential travel disruption and hazardous conditions as the Arctic air establishes its grip on the UK to start the new year.
