Key Takeaways
- The Met Office has upgraded snow weather warnings from yellow to amber in some parts of the UK, with amber warnings in place in parts of Scotland from midday on Friday to midday on Saturday
- Yellow alerts are in place in other areas, including large parts of England and Wales, with warnings of snow and ice expected to cause disruption
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued health warnings for the start of the year, with amber cold health alerts in place across several regions
- The weather is expected to cause significant impacts on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over
Introduction to the Weather Warnings
The UK is bracing itself for a wintry start to 2026, with forecasters upgrading snow weather warnings from yellow to amber in some parts of the country. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for heavy snow showers in parts of Scotland, which are in place from midday on Friday to midday on Saturday. These warnings cover areas such as Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands, where around 10-20cm of snow is likely at low levels, with 30-40cm possible on high ground.
Weather Conditions and Disruption
The Met Office has warned that the snow could bring disruption to parts of northern Scotland, with winds leading to temporary blizzard conditions. This could result in some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, as well as power cuts and disruption on the roads. Some rural communities may also be cut off, making it difficult for people to access essential services. In addition to the amber warnings, there is a yellow warning for snow and ice on Friday across large parts of England and Wales, including Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent. This warning lasts from midnight to noon, with snow up to 5cm expected to cover some areas, especially on higher ground in parts of North Wales and northwest England.
Regional Weather Warnings
Separate yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland between midnight and 10am on Friday, with weather warnings already in force on New Year’s Day in Scotland. The Met Office said 10cm of snow could have accumulated by Friday morning, while up to 20cm could build up above 200 metres. The warning is in force until midnight on Friday and at the weekend it extends further south, covering the area down to Perth and southerly parts of Argyll and Bute until midnight on Sunday. The Met Office has also issued weather warnings for Saturday and Sunday, with a yellow warning for snow and ice in place across parts of the UK.
Health Warnings
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued health warnings for the start of the year, with amber cold health alerts in place across several regions. The UKHSA previously issued amber cold health alerts in the North East and North West of England, but has now upgraded yellow alerts to amber across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These warnings are in place until 10am on 6 January and mean that the weather is "likely" to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a "rise in deaths" among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.
Conclusion and Preparations
The wintry weather is expected to cause significant disruption across the UK, with the Met Office and UKHSA urging people to take precautions to stay safe. This includes checking on vulnerable neighbors, especially the elderly and those with health conditions, and taking steps to stay warm and safe at home. The weather warnings are in place until the weekend, and people are advised to check the latest forecast and travel updates before heading out. By taking the necessary precautions and staying informed, people can help to minimize the impact of the wintry weather and stay safe until the warmer weather returns.
