Where wintry showers and ice will hit UK on New Year’s Day after Met Office climate warning | EUROtoday

The Met Office has issued a climate warning for New Year’s Day, with snow set to hit the UK as 2026 begins.

The yellow warning for snow and ice will probably be in power from 6am on Thursday, 1 January to 11.59pm on Friday, 2 January, protecting northern components of Scotland.

The climate company warns that frequent and heavy snow showers in that space might result in journey disruption, with as much as 30cm of snow attainable on the very best routes and hills.

The warning covers everything of northern Scotland, with Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland, and Strathclyde the areas and native authorities affected.

About the climate within the areas coated by the warning, the Met Office mentioned: “Showers will turn increasingly to snow through Thursday as a strong, perhaps locally gale force northerly wind sets in.

“Initially accumulations will mainly affect higher routes, but by evening some accumulations will start to build even to low levels, with 2 to 5, locally 10cm of lying snow accumulating by Friday morning.

“Above 200m some places could see 10-20cm of snow accumulate, and on the highest routes and hills, 30 cm or more may build through this period. Given the strength of the wind some significant drifting of snow is likely.”

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway added: “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.

“A yellow 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.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has additionally issued an amber chilly well being alert for the well being sector protecting the north east and north west of England till 5 January. All different areas in England will probably be beneath a yellow alert for this era.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of utmost occasions and well being Protection at UKHSA, mentioned: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

The UKHSA warned there’ll probably be a rise in demand for well being companies throughout the areas. With even youthful individuals doubtlessly impacted by the climate, it mentioned {that a} drop in temperature results in extra dangers for weak individuals, whereas a fall in locations like hospitals and care houses might convey it under the degrees really useful for assessing well being dangers.

It additionally warned of staffing points on account of exterior components akin to journey delays, and mentioned different sectors, akin to transport and power, might begin to be affected by the climate.

Met Office forecast for the UK from Monday 29 December

This night and tonight

Skies clearing for a lot of tonight, permitting temperatures to fall away. A chilly evening with a widespread frost, notably within the north. A couple of coastal showers will proceed to have an effect on jap counties.

Tuesday

Mostly dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells. A couple of showers probably in jap coastal counties. Cloud thickens in northern Scotland later with patchy rain and strengthening winds arriving.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday

Largely settled for a lot of on New Year’s Eve, however turning windy with showers in Scotland. Turning colder within the New Year with wintry showers turning into extra widespread with icy patches.