(Commonwealth_Europe) A spell of wintry weather is set to grip much of the UK, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across large parts of England and Wales from midnight through to noon on 2 January. Forecasters say some communities could wake up to a fresh layer of snow, with accumulations of up to 5 cm likely in places, especially on higher ground in North Wales and northwest England.
Similar warnings are in place elsewhere, including Northern Ireland from midnight until 10am on Friday, and northern Scotland from early New Year’s Day through to the end of Friday. In Scotland, conditions could be more severe, with 10cm to 20cm of snow expected widely and as much as 30cm possible on the highest routes and hills. Strong winds may lead to significant drifting, making already difficult conditions worse, while forecasters have also warned that lightning could pose an additional hazard during snow showers.
The cold snap is expected to disrupt travel, with drivers, bus passengers and train users being advised to allow extra time for journeys. Icy surfaces are also likely to develop quickly once sleet and snow begin to clear, raising the risk of slips and falls. The Met Office has urged people to take care when moving around, suggesting pedestrians stick to pavements along main roads, which are more likely to be treated, and advising cyclists to do the same.
The warning covers a wide area, stretching from Chester and Greater Manchester in the north down to London and Kent in the south, and includes the East Midlands, East of England, London and the Southeast, Northwest and Southwest England, Wales, and the West Midlands.
Health officials are also raising the alarm. The UK Health Security Agency has issued more severe cold weather warnings as 2026 begins. Amber cold health alerts, which indicate a higher risk to vulnerable people, have been expanded across much of England, including the East and West Midlands, the southeast and southwest, the east of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These alerts are expected to remain in force until 10am on 6 January.
According to UKHSA, the prolonged cold is likely to put additional strain on health and social care services and could lead to a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions. Paul Coleman, a consultant in health protection at the agency, said temperatures over the coming days are forecast to be frigid and warned that such conditions can have serious consequences.
Low temperatures, he explained, increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, especially for older people and those already sick. He stressed the importance of looking out for one another during the cold spell, encouraging people to check in with friends, family members, and neighbours who may be more vulnerable as winter conditions tighten their grip.
