The arrival of 2026 has brought a biting cold snap and a flurry of weather warnings across the United Kingdom, with snow and ice forecast to disrupt daily life for millions. The Met Office has issued a sweeping yellow weather warning, alerting residents from Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent to brace for hazardous conditions between midnight and noon on January 2. This alert, which covers vast swathes of England and Wales—including the East Midlands, London, the southeast, and the West Midlands—signals the first significant snowfall of the season for many.
According to the Met Office, some regions, especially higher ground in North Wales and northwest England, could see up to 5cm of snow. Northern Scotland faces even more severe conditions, with 10cm to 20cm expected and as much as 30cm possible on the highest hills and routes. Strong winds are predicted to whip up the snow, creating the risk of significant drifting, while lightning could add another layer of danger. In Northern Ireland, a separate yellow warning is in effect from midnight until 10am on January 2, underscoring the widespread nature of the wintry blast.
For those planning to venture out—whether by road, rail, or on foot—the advice is clear: prepare for delays and take extra care. The Met Office cautioned, "If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated." The warning comes as the cold snap is expected to bring not just snow, but also treacherous ice, with the risk of slips and falls increasing as sleet and snow clear quickly, leaving untreated surfaces dangerously slick.
Travelers are being warned of longer journey times on buses, trains, and especially on the roads. According to BBC Weather, “Some travel disruption” is anticipated, particularly where snow and ice accumulate on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths. The risk is especially acute in Greater Manchester, where a yellow warning for snow and ice is in effect on January 2, covering Trafford, South Manchester, and Stockport. The area is expected to see sleet and snow moving southeastwards, lasting two to three hours in any one place, with 1 to 2 cm of snow likely for many and up to 5 cm possible on higher ground.
After the warnings expire, the weather isn’t expected to become much more forgiving. While no new alerts are in force for Greater Manchester over the weekend, the cold will remain, with temperatures struggling to rise above freezing. The silver lining? The region is forecast to enjoy bright and sunny weather, with no further showers expected—though icy patches could linger on untreated surfaces.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has responded to the wintry forecast by upgrading cold health alerts to amber across much of the country, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, southeast, southwest, east of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These warnings are set to remain in place until 10am on January 6. The UKHSA has warned that the weather is "likely" to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a "rise in deaths" among people with health conditions or those aged 65 and over. Dr. Paul Coleman, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, underscored the seriousness of the situation: "Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions. Exposure to cold can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections. It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family, and neighbours that are most vulnerable."
The cold spell is not limited to England and Wales. Scotland is bracing for heavy snow and disruptive conditions, with yellow warnings in place through the end of January 2. According to Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway, "It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of ‘winter’ as we welcome in the New Year, initially in the north, but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026. Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds. Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many."
Sidaway continued, "A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for northern Scotland on New Year’s Day and beyond, where frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption. These colder conditions and wintry hazards – snow, ice and strong winds – will develop more widely as we enter the New Year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely. It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it’s important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings."
Across Wales, the forecast paints a similarly chilly picture. On New Year’s Day, a rather cloudy morning with patchy rain and hill snow will give way to brighter conditions by the afternoon, with wintry showers especially in the north. Maximum temperatures are forecast to reach 8°C, dropping to a minimum of -3°C overnight as a band of rain, sleet, and snow moves southwards, increasing the risk of ice and accumulations on high ground. The days that follow are expected to remain cold, with further wintry showers, widespread frosts by night, and plenty of sunshine inland. The Met Office predicts, "A cold weekend with further wintry showers at times, especially near northern and western coasts. Plenty of sunshine inland and widespread frosts by night. Remaining similar on Monday."
In Greater Manchester, the forecast for the days following the snowfall is for continued cold, with temperatures barely rising above freezing but with bright and sunny weather and no showers. The region, along with much of the country, is being told to expect a prolonged spell of cold weather, with widespread and locally severe frosts and the potential for additional snow and ice warnings as the week progresses.
For those in Northern Ireland, the story is much the same. A yellow warning for snow and ice is in effect from midnight until 10am on January 2, with the Met Office urging caution as conditions could make travel hazardous and increase the risk of accidents on untreated surfaces.
While the UK grapples with the cold, similar wintry conditions are being felt across the Atlantic. In New Hampshire, USA, residents woke to light snow and flurries on New Year’s Day, with slick roads and biting wind chills making for a challenging start to the year. Temperatures in Manchester, NH, hovered around 24°F (-4.4°C), but with the wind, it felt closer to 15°F (-9.4°C). The cold and blustery weather is expected to persist through the weekend, with another chance of light snow late Saturday into early Sunday. Despite the chill, the weekend is shaping up to be good for post-holiday travel and ski activities, with fresh snow softening mountain conditions.
The message from meteorologists and public health officials on both sides of the Atlantic is clear: bundle up, check on those at risk, and stay tuned to the latest weather updates. As the first week of 2026 unfolds, winter is making its presence felt in no uncertain terms.
