Britain is bracing for its first major cold snap of the winter season, as a rare combination of Arctic air, heavy snowfall, and even "thundersnow" sweeps across the country. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Thursday, November 20, 2025, warning that some regions could see as much as 25 centimeters of snow by the week's end. The abrupt shift to wintry weather has already caused widespread disruption, with dozens of schools closed, travel delays expected, and health agencies urging the public to take precautions against the bitter cold.
According to The Independent, this marked plunge in temperatures follows a relatively mild spell, with the Met Office describing the week as “markedly colder” than the last. “Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK’s weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather,” said Neil Armstrong, the Met Office’s Chief Forecaster. He warned that “winter hazards are likely through the next few days, with snow and ice a particular hazard, and the coldest conditions likely on Wednesday and Thursday.”
Snowfall began in earnest on Wednesday, November 19, with flurries reported in London, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Essex, Shropshire, and Northumberland. Weather stations at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales, recorded 7 centimeters of lying snow at 8 a.m. that morning, while other Scottish locations such as Lerwick in Shetland and Altnaharra in the Highlands reported up to 7 centimeters as well, according to The Guardian.
But it’s not just the snow that’s turning heads. In a rare meteorological twist, forecasters have also issued a “thundersnow” warning—a phenomenon that, while sounding almost mythical, is all too real. As BBC Weather explains, thundersnow occurs when heavy snowfall is accompanied by thunder and lightning, an event that typically happens only about ten times a year worldwide. The North York Moors and Scottish Highlands are among the areas most likely to experience this unusual spectacle through Thursday, as turbulent Arctic winds whip up cumulonimbus clouds capable of producing both snow and lightning.
“Frequent wintry showers will feed inland from the North Sea, giving significant snow accumulations over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds,” the Met Office stated in its amber alert. “By the end of Thursday, as much as 15-25 centimeters may have accumulated on hills above 100 meters elevation, which is likely to cause substantial disruption. Gusty winds, giving occasional blizzard conditions, and perhaps a few lightning strikes, may accompany some of the showers, posing as additional hazards.”
The impact has already been felt in Scotland, where dozens of schools shuttered their doors on Wednesday due to the treacherous conditions. In Aberdeenshire alone, 15 schools closed, while the Highland Council area saw 20 closures. Several institutions in Shetland and three in Moray were also forced to shut, as reported by Aberdeen Live. The closures highlight just how quickly the weather turned, catching many off guard after a relatively snow-free autumn so far.
The Met Office has not held back in its warnings. Seven yellow alerts for snow and ice were in force on Thursday, stretching across Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, northern and southwestern England, and much of Scotland. The amber warning, representing a higher level of risk, came into effect at 3 a.m. on Thursday for the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds, where higher ground was expected to bear the brunt of the storm. “Whilst not all places will see lying snow, where showers are most frequent accumulations of 2-5 centimeters will be possible. On higher ground in Scotland, 15-20 centimeters could accumulate, and potentially as much as 15-25 centimeters over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds,” Armstrong reiterated.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree added a note of caution for those hoping the snow would be confined to the north. “Wednesday to Friday will be the coldest part of the week, and this period has the greatest potential for impactful weather, with multiple warnings in place. Overnight, temperatures could get down to minus ten, with a significant wind chill from the strong northerly wind making things feel even colder,” Crabtree said. He noted that while southern areas might see more rain than snow, “northern parts of Scotland [are] seeing plenty, and also down the eastern side of England and eastern Scotland as well—plenty of these rain, sleet and snow showers.”
The UK Health Security Agency has responded with its own set of health alerts. An amber warning is in place for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber, while the rest of England is under a yellow alert until 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 22. These warnings urge residents—especially the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions—to take extra care as low temperatures and icy conditions increase the risk of slips, falls, and cold-related illnesses.
For those living in coastal areas, the wintry conditions are likely to persist, with the Met Office forecasting continued snow showers on the windward coasts of north Scotland and the east and west coasts of the UK. Central inland areas, on the other hand, can expect somewhat brighter and drier weather, though the threat of ice remains. Temperatures are set to remain stubbornly low, with London expected to see -2°C (28°F) and the Midlands -1°C (30°F) on Thursday, rising only slightly in eastern England.
The cold snap, while dramatic, is expected to be relatively short-lived. According to forecasters, temperatures should begin to rise on Friday, November 21, with no further weather warnings currently in place for that day. Still, the Met Office urges the public to stay vigilant, as updates to warnings are possible should the situation change. “With sub-zero temperatures in the first ‘cold snap’ of the year, updates to the current warnings are possible, so it’s important people keep up to date with the forecast,” Crabtree advised.
As Britain hunkers down for what could be a memorable bout of winter weather, all eyes are on the skies—and on the forecasts. Whether it’s the rare crackle of thundersnow or the quiet hush of a city blanketed in white, the country is, for now, firmly in winter’s icy grip.
