Key Takeaways
- The UK has experienced a cold start to 2026, with an Arctic blast bringing heavy snow to Scotland and Storm Goretti causing disruption across the country.
- Thousands of children in northern Scotland missed school due to wintry showers, and the Met Office issued yellow snow and ice warnings.
- Temperatures are expected to remain near average for this time of year, with lows of 4C in the north of England and Scotland, and highs of 9C in London and the South East.
- Snow is unlikely across the UK this weekend, with any snowfall confined to the higher hills of Scotland.
- The Met Office forecasts a showery weekend with a mix of fog patches and some frost in the North.
Introduction to the Story
The Independent is committed to providing high-quality journalism, covering critical issues such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. The news outlet believes in the importance of fact-based reporting, and its journalists work tirelessly to investigate and analyze complex stories. With the support of its readers, The Independent is able to send reporters to the ground to cover developing stories, ensuring that all sides of the issue are represented. This approach has earned the trust of Americans across the entire political spectrum, and the outlet’s commitment to making quality journalism available to everyone, without paywalls, sets it apart from other news organizations.
The Cold Start to 2026
The year 2026 has gotten off to a chilly start, with an Arctic blast bringing heavy snow to Scotland and Storm Goretti causing disruption across the country. The severe weather conditions led to the closure of schools in northern Scotland, with thousands of children missing several days of school. The Met Office issued yellow snow and ice warnings, and officials in the West Midlands warned of the "worst snowfall in a decade" as parts of England and Wales saw significant snowfall. The stormy weather was not limited to Scotland, with other parts of the UK experiencing wind, ice, snow, and rain.
Weather Forecast
According to the Met Office, temperatures are expected to remain near average for this time of year, with lows of 4C in the north of England and Scotland, and highs of 9C in London and the South East. The weather is forecast to be showery, with a mix of fog patches and some frost in the North. Liam Eslick, the Met Office’s senior operational meteorologist, stated that colder weather is not expected to return to the UK in the immediate future, and that any snowfall this weekend will be confined to the higher hills of Scotland. Meteorologist Alex Deakin added that while the jet stream in the Atlantic appears active, it is weakening as it reaches the UK, resulting in slow-moving weather patterns.
Short-Term Weather Outlook
In the short term, the Met Office forecasts a changeable few days, with often cloudy conditions and some brighter spells. There will be showery outbreaks of rain, with some overnight frost and fog patches, which may be slow to clear. The Met Office’s five-day weather forecast indicates that Friday evening and overnight will be often cloudy, with some showers, particularly in the West. Saturday is expected to be a day of sunny spells and showers, with near-normal temperatures. The outlook for Sunday to Tuesday is for a changeable few days, with often cloudy conditions and some brighter spells.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the UK has experienced a cold start to 2026, temperatures are expected to remain near average for this time of year. The Met Office forecasts a showery weekend, with any snowfall confined to the higher hills of Scotland. The Independent will continue to provide updates on the weather, as well as in-depth coverage of critical issues such as climate change and its impact on the environment. With the support of its readers, the outlet is able to provide high-quality journalism, free from paywalls, to everyone.
