Snowstorm Set To Blanket UK As Temperatures Plunge

Britain is bracing for a dramatic return of winter as meteorologists forecast a significant snow event sweeping across the country in the final week of January 2026. After a brief spell of milder weather, cold air from the Atlantic is set to dominate, plunging temperatures and bringing with it the risk of heavy snow, sleet, and hazardous conditions in several regions.

According to BBC Weather, the town of Warrington will see temperatures drop to just 1°C from Sunday, January 25, 2026, marking the start of a cold snap likely to grip much of the UK. The forecast indicates that snow will begin falling in Warrington at midnight on Wednesday, January 28, and continue until 10am, before turning to sleet for the remainder of the day. Light snow is expected to resume from 6pm on Wednesday, continuing through the night until 8am on Thursday, January 29. The pattern for the week looks unmistakably wintry: light cloud on Sunday, drizzle on Monday, sleet on Tuesday, snow on Wednesday, and more sleet on Thursday. Highs will hover between 4°C and 6°C, with lows dipping to 1°C or 2°C.

But Warrington is far from alone. The latest weather maps, as reported by the Met Office and BBC Weather, show a powerful 24-hour blizzard set to strike the UK starting early on Tuesday, January 27. The ECMWF weather model predicts snowfall will first hit Northern Ireland and Wales in the early hours, intensifying by midday and spreading to the Midlands, parts of southern England, and Scotland. Later that day, snow flurries are expected to cover most of the country, with accumulations reaching up to 20 inches in some areas—a rare and disruptive event for the UK.

The Met Office long-range forecast explains, "Weather systems moving in from the Atlantic will continue to attempt to push in from the west, but tending to stall in the vicinity of the UK as they encounter high pressure to the north and northeast. As a result, further spells of rain or showers are likely at times. These may be heavy and persistent, especially in the south and west, with the best of any drier interludes in the far north and northeast." The agency also warns that colder weather is likely to develop through this period, increasing the risk of snow, particularly across hills in Scotland and northern England, but possibly extending to other parts of the country as well.

BBC Weather echoes these concerns, noting, "Assuming this cold spell develops as anticipated, it should continue into early February, with winds mainly from the easterly quarter and a few snow showers scattered around." The forecast suggests that while milder air from the southwest may eventually return, bringing seasonal or above-average temperatures and unsettled conditions, the transition may not occur until mid-February. Until then, the risk of snow and icy conditions remains high, especially in higher elevations.

In Liverpool, the wintry outlook is just as striking. The Met Office warns of "wintry hazards" in its long-range forecast, particularly between January 25 and February 3, when snow showers are most likely across hills in Scotland and northern England. BBC Weather predicts sleet showers for Liverpool on Monday, January 26, and Tuesday, January 27, followed by light snow throughout Wednesday, January 28. Rain may mix in around midday, and sleet showers are expected to return on Thursday, January 29. The city, like much of the northwest, is preparing for a challenging week of fluctuating wintry conditions.

Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, too, are on alert. After a mild stretch in mid-January, the region is expecting a return of cold weather starting Monday, January 26. Storm Goretti, which earlier brought snow and sleet and drove temperatures as low as -6°C, has given way to a brief respite, but the cold is set to return. BBC Weather forecasts five hours of consistent snowfall in Nottinghamshire on Wednesday, January 28, from 6am to 11am, followed by sleet and rain for the rest of the day and temperatures dropping to 1°C. Further light snow could fall between 1am and 6am on Thursday, January 29. According to BBC Weather’s Lead Forecaster, Sarah Keith-Lucas, "The difference between precipitation falling as rain, sleet or snow can be dictated by a change in just a degree or two, meaning forecasters often won't firm up on any snow detail until a few days in advance." She adds that slightly colder weather is expected in northern areas on Thursday and Friday, with snow likely over high ground in Scotland.

Bolton residents are also being urged to prepare for the cold. BBC Weather forecasts that wintry conditions, including sleet and snow, will hit the borough starting Tuesday, January 27. Sleet and a gentle breeze are expected that day, with highs around 4°C and lows near 0°C overnight. From Wednesday, January 28, through Friday, January 30, periods of light snow are possible, with daytime temperatures hovering around 4°C and overnight lows potentially falling below freezing. Thursday, January 29, is expected to be the coldest day, with temperatures dropping to -1°C. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to exercise caution, especially during morning and evening hours when icy patches are more likely. The cold and unsettled pattern is expected to persist into the weekend, with sleet showers and occasional sunny spells forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Looking ahead, the broader UK outlook remains unsettled and unpredictable. The Met Office and BBC Weather both signal that the cold spell could persist into early February, with the possibility of further snow showers, particularly in the north and over high ground. However, the eventual arrival of milder Atlantic-sourced air is expected to bring a shift to wetter and windier weather, although some higher elevations could still see wintry precipitation. The key question, as BBC Weather notes, is how quickly this transition to milder conditions will occur—a change that may not arrive until mid-February, with risks of colder weather lingering in some areas.

For now, residents across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant, keep up to date with the latest forecasts, and plan ahead for possible travel disruptions. With temperatures set to plunge and snow making a dramatic comeback, it’s clear that winter is far from over. The coming days will test the nation’s readiness for severe weather, reminding everyone that, in Britain, the next snowstorm is never too far away.