Londoners and much of the United Kingdom are bracing for a dramatic spell of wintry weather as the first full week of January 2026 brings a powerful Arctic blast, widespread snowfall, and severe cold weather warnings across the country. According to WX Charts and corroborated by the BBC, a significant wall of snow is expected to sweep into London from the south-west at around 9am on Friday, January 9, with the risk of heavy accumulation indicated by deep purple shading on weather maps. This snow system will first blanket the South and Midlands before pushing onward to northern France, setting the stage for a blustery and chilly weekend in the capital and beyond.
While London managed to escape weather warnings on Monday, January 5, much of the rest of the UK was not so lucky. The Met Office issued yellow warnings for snow and ice spanning Northern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia, and parts of the north, cautioning residents about the risks of slips, falls, and potential train delays. More serious amber warnings were in place for northern Scotland, where officials warned of a ‘good chance’ that rural communities could be cut off, with the likelihood of power cuts and train cancellations rising as the snow deepened.
The impact of the wintry blast was already being felt at the start of the week. As reported by BBC News, parts of northern Scotland saw over 50 centimeters (20 inches) of lying snow, with drifts piling even higher after a weekend of relentless snowfall. Temperatures plunged well below freezing across much of the UK, with some areas experiencing icy conditions since Friday, January 2. The mercury dropped as low as minus 5.7°C at Drumnadrochit on the shore of Loch Ness, while parts of Cheshire recorded overnight lows of minus 9°C.
These frigid conditions led to blocked roads, rail line closures, cancelled flights, and school shutdowns, particularly in northern Scotland and rural areas. The Met Office warned that winds could whip up blizzards, especially in regions under amber alerts, where 10–20 centimeters of snow was forecast at lower altitudes and 30–40 centimeters on higher ground. The disruption was not limited to Scotland; snow showers returned to Tynemouth and parts of Cambridgeshire, while residential streets from Clacton-on-Sea to Sheringham awoke to fresh snow on January 5.
Despite the travel chaos, BBC Weather Watchers captured scenes of wintry beauty across the country—smiling snowmen at sunrise in Coedpoeth, Wrexham, pink dawns reflecting off snowy fields in Denbighshire, and serene, snow-draped landscapes from Plockton in the Highlands to Macclesfield in Cheshire. In Staffordshire, frozen canals trapped barges in thick ice, while Aberdeen looked like something out of a Dickensian Christmas card.
Yet, beneath the picturesque scenes, the cold snap brought serious concerns for public health and safety. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber cold health alerts across England, including London, the Midlands, the North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire, and the Humber. These warnings, in place until 10am on January 9, signaled severe impacts on health and social care services, with officials expecting a rise in deaths—particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions.
The British Heart Foundation underscored the risks, noting that cold weather puts extra strain on the heart, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. “Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and people with cardiovascular disease are also more at risk of serious illness if they get seasonal respiratory infections like flu,” said Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the charity. She urged vulnerable individuals to wrap up warm and get their free flu jab to minimize risks during the cold snap.
The forecast for London reflected the national trend of persistent cold and unsettled weather. According to the BBC, temperatures in the capital for the week of January 5 to January 11 were expected to range from highs of 2°C to 9°C and lows from -4°C to 6°C, with a mix of sunny intervals, light rain, and breezy conditions. Friday, January 9—the day the major snow event is predicted—is set for a high of 6°C and a low of 1°C, with light rain and a moderate breeze. The weekend that follows promises more light rain and chilly temperatures, with the possibility of further snow showers if conditions align.
Forecasting snow in London, however, remains a notoriously tricky business. As MyLondon reports, the city’s geography and microclimates mean that snowfall can vary dramatically even within short distances. Weather expert Ian Currie explained, “Snow is very dependent on the height of where you are. For every 50 feet, 15 metres or so, you get higher up there is an increased likelihood of an extra day of snow.” He pointed to areas like South Croydon’s Sanderstead and Selsdon, which can see up to 10 more days of snow per year than neighborhoods just a few miles away. “A weather front could be thousands and thousands of miles away, but if it arrives just a little bit off the predicted path, the weather can be totally different,” Currie added, highlighting the dynamic and complex nature of snow forecasting in the city.
For many Londoners, this means that some streets may remain snow-free while others just minutes away are blanketed in white. The difference often comes down to subtle shifts in temperature—warmer at ground level than even 25 meters up—making the line between rain and snow a matter of degrees. It’s a reminder that, despite advances in meteorology, the city’s winter weather can still surprise even the experts.
As the week unfolds, the Met Office and health agencies are urging residents across the UK to stay #WeatherAware, keep up to date with forecasts, and take precautions against icy roads and slippery surfaces. Travel disruptions are likely to continue, with delays and cancellations expected on railways and at airports, and the risk of power cuts and isolated communities persisting, especially in rural and high-altitude regions.
While the snow brings its share of challenges, it also offers moments of joy and wonder—children building snowmen, dogs bounding through drifts, and communities coming together to help neighbors. But for now, all eyes are on the skies, as London prepares for what could be its most significant snowfall of the year, and the UK steels itself for another week in winter’s icy grip.
