Met Office Issues New Snow Warnings for 56 Areas as Arctic Blast Hits UK
The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, affecting 56 areas across the United Kingdom. These warnings are active from 9:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, February 15, 2026. This "Arctic blast" is anticipated to cause significant disruption to travel as rain transitions to snow over much of Scotland and Northern England.
Snow Accumulations and Ice Hazards
Forecasters predict that outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards on Saturday night will initially fall as snow. Snow accumulations are expected to reach 1–3 cm at low levels, 3–7 cm above 150 meters, and potentially 10–15 cm on ground higher than 400 meters. A particular concern has been raised for Northeast England and parts of Scotland, where rain and snow will fall onto already frozen ground. This creates a high risk of "very slippery conditions" and black ice on untreated surfaces, posing dangers for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Affected Regions and Travel Disruption
The warning for Sunday morning primarily encompasses Scotland, including the Highlands, Grampian, Central, Tayside & Fife, and the Scottish Borders, as well as Northern England, covering Northumberland, Durham, and parts of the North West. Travel disruption is already being reported ahead of the weekend. For instance, the A66 between County Durham and Cumbria was closed on Friday morning due to concentrated snowfall. National Highways warns of further closures on trans-Pennine routes over the weekend, urging travelers to plan routes carefully and check for delays.
Thaw, Freezing Rain, and Health Alerts
Into Sunday morning, snow will turn back to rain as milder air arrives from the west. There is a specific risk of a short spell of freezing rain, which freezes instantly on impact, before a steady thaw sets in. Additionally, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow cold weather health alerts for Northern England and the Midlands, which remain in place until 8:00 AM on Monday, February 16, 2026. These alerts warn of increased risks to vulnerable residents, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Earlier Ice Warnings and Travel Advice
A separate ice warning is active from 5:00 PM on Friday, February 13, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 14, 2026. This warning covers the whole of Wales and much of England, including Somerset and the West Midlands, as temperatures drop below freezing overnight. The Met Office advises motorists to ensure they carry an emergency kit, including warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, and a torch, to stay safe during potential travel delays or breakdowns.
Full List of Areas Impacted by the Warning
- Central, Tayside & Fife: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
- East Midlands: Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
- Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
- Highlands & Eilean Siar: Highland
- North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- North West England: Blackburn with Darwen, Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
- Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
- West Midlands: Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent
- Yorkshire & Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
