As clocks ticked back across the United Kingdom in the early hours of October 26, 2025, the nation braced itself for a dramatic shift in weather. The end of British Summer Time (BST) and the return to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) marked not just a temporal change, but the arrival of the season’s first real taste of winter. According to the Met Office, an Arctic blast sweeping in behind Storm Benjamin sent temperatures plummeting well below average for this time of year, setting the stage for snow, frost, and brisk winds from the Scottish Highlands to the peaks of Wales and England.
The cold snap did not creep in quietly. Over the weekend, the UK experienced what the Met Office described as the “coldest pair of days so far this season,” with mercury levels dipping into single digits and the wind making it feel even colder. In the words of the Met Office, “The combination of strong breezes and incoming, colder air means it will feel raw in exposed spots through daylight hours.” For many, it felt like December had arrived early.
Light snow showers were recorded overnight from Saturday into Sunday, particularly in the Scottish Highlands, as confirmed by the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS). The MWIS noted that on Sunday, a “snow and rain mix” would fall as snow at altitudes between 500 and 700 metres, with air temperatures expected to be below freezing. Counties such as the Scottish Highlands, Moray, and Perth and Kinross were all flagged as likely to see snowfall. Even the higher peaks of England and Wales were not left out, with snow forecast for their summits as well.
The wintry weather was not merely a meteorological curiosity—it was the direct aftermath of Storm Benjamin, which had battered the UK earlier in the week. The storm brought heavy downpours, winds gusting over 70 mph, and prompted the Met Office to issue four yellow weather warnings and over 40 flood alerts on Thursday, October 23. As Storm Benjamin swept east toward Denmark late Saturday, Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer explained, “As Storm Benjamin clears the UK and heads towards Denmark late tomorrow cold Arctic air will sweep across the country, bringing a noticeably chilly weekend as temperatures fall below average.” He added, “Although many areas will see dry weather with sunny spells, it will feel cold in the brisk northerly winds. Showers are expected in the north and west, some of these falling as snow over Scottish mountains.”
The effects of the cold front were felt far and wide. Saturday was marked by a “brisk, blustery feel,” with strong winds making conditions feel several degrees lower than the actual temperature. Frequent showers swept across Northern Ireland, northern Scotland, Wales, and the South West, keeping umbrellas and winter coats in high demand. The Atlantic low moving in from the northwest ensured that Saturday night remained chilly, while Sunday morning brought “plenty of sunshine to begin with” across most central and eastern areas, as per the Met Office forecast. However, this reprieve was short-lived. Cloud cover increased as the day progressed, with early showers giving way to a more persistent band of rain that arrived around lunchtime in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the western fringes of England and Wales.
For many, the early hours of Sunday were characterized by a frosty start. Patchy frost was observed in both England and northern Scotland, a visible marker of the cold air that had settled in overnight. Despite the initial sunshine in some regions, the general outlook remained cold and unsettled. The Met Office’s five-day forecast, starting October 25, painted a picture of continued instability: “Showery rain will move southwards across much of the country through this evening and overnight, reaching south-east England by dawn. A mix of clear spells and scattered showers following from the northwest. Remaining windy and turning chilly where skies clear.”
Looking ahead, the forecast for Monday through Wednesday (October 27–29) suggested that the changeable weather would persist. Rain and showers were expected, especially in the northwest, but there was a silver lining: temperatures were predicted to recover to near average for most areas. The southeast, in particular, was expected to remain driest and brightest, offering a brief respite from the relentless wet and cold.
But the relief was set to be temporary. The long-range outlook from Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 8 indicated an “unsettled start” with “outbreaks of rain to many areas.” The Met Office warned that the period would remain “changeable and at times unsettled,” with a “risk of heavy rain and strong winds in places.” On the bright side, temperatures were expected to be “around normal or slightly above” for that time of year, suggesting that the Arctic chill might not linger indefinitely.
For those living in the affected counties—Scottish Highlands, Moray, and Perth and Kinross—the weekend’s weather was both a harbinger of winter’s approach and a reminder of the UK’s famously unpredictable climate. Even as snow blanketed the higher ground, the lower elevations mostly saw cold rain and gusty winds. The patchy frost and fleeting sunshine served as brief interludes in an otherwise raw and blustery spell.
Historically, the UK’s weather has often turned sharply at the end of October, coinciding with the clocks going back. This year was no exception. The transition to GMT seemed to usher in not just an extra hour of sleep, but a full-throated return of winter’s bite. While some may have hoped for a gentle autumn, the reality was a weekend that felt more like the depths of winter. For outdoor enthusiasts, the snow on the peaks might have offered a tantalizing preview of the season ahead—though for many, the focus was simply on staying warm and dry.
With the Met Office continuing to monitor conditions and issue updates, residents across the UK were advised to keep an eye on local forecasts and prepare for further fluctuations. Whether the coming weeks bring more snow or a return to milder temperatures, one thing is clear: the UK’s weather remains as dynamic and changeable as ever, keeping everyone guessing as the seasons shift.
As the nation adjusts to shorter days and colder nights, the first snow of the season serves as both a warning and a wonder—a signal that, ready or not, winter is on its way.
