UK hit by massive freeze as Met Office extends climate warnings for snow and ice | EUROtoday

Britons are set for a freezing first weekend of 2026 as Arctic winds deliver a chilly snap throughout the UK, prompting warnings of journey chaos and energy cuts.

Multiple climate warnings for snow and ice issued for Friday have been prolonged into Monday, with as a lot as 40cm of snowfall potential within the highest components of Scotland.

The Met Office has issued amber climate alerts for components of Scotland from noon on Friday for twenty-four hours as forecasters warn harsh circumstances pose a possible “risk to life”. It additionally warned that as much as 20cm of snow might choose low floor and as much as 40cm on greater floor, and mentioned disruption to street, rail and air journey was seemingly.

Rural communities may very well be reduce off, with automobiles turning into stranded in heavy snow, and cuts to energy and cell phone companies have been potential, the forecaster mentioned.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has additionally issued amber chilly well being alerts for England till 9 January, warning that elevated deaths are seemingly as a result of freezing temperatures.

Yellow climate warnings are in place throughout swathes of south west England and Wales, with these on the east coast and south west prolonged into Monday.

On Saturday, yellow warnings stay in drive in southwest England, and have additionally been issued alongside the east coast from Newcastle to Norwich. Temperatures are anticipated to settle at round 1C for a lot of the nation, with the mercury dipping beneath freezing in components of Scotland.

Icy circumstances are set to maneuver westwards on Sunday, with a yellow warning masking components of Greater Manchester, Wales, and south west England from 3pm to noon on Monday, with temperatures remaining at round 1C.

Blizzards are anticipated throughout the UK, together with in areas not coated by climate warnings. Showers are predicted to turn into more and more wintry on Friday night with some snow potential in Wales. These will transfer additional inland in the course of the early hours of Saturday, turning into frequent and maybe heavy at occasions, forecasters mentioned.

Around 1-3cm of snow is more likely to accumulate extensively, with 5-8 cm potential in locations just like the North York Moors all through Saturday, based on the Met Office. The snow showers will step by step turn into lighter and fewer frequent throughout Saturday night, and transfer offshore in a single day.

Snow showers are anticipated to push additional inland throughout Wales, components of northwest England, the West Midlands and southwest England throughout Sunday night. Around 1 to 3cm of snow is predicted to fall in lots of locations by Monday morning, with the potential for five to 8cm to construct up in just a few places, notably throughout inland and better components of Wales.

Forecasters are warning folks to verify journey circumstances, go away additional time for journeys, and put together for energy cuts within the highest floor in Scotland.

Chief forecaster, Neil Armstrong, mentioned: “With Arctic air now covering most of the UK, very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0C for some.

“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of utmost occasions and well being safety at UKHSA, urged folks to verify on family members in the course of the chilly snap: “As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecast 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.”

Friday

Heavy snow showers throughout northern and northeast Scotland in the present day. Rain and snow clearing additional south, leaving sunny skies. Some wintry showers within the west and excessive east. Otherwise high-quality and dry, however feeling chilly within the brisk northerly wind.

Overnight

Frequent snow showers proceed to have an effect on areas uncovered to the eager northerly wind, in any other case dry with lengthy clear spells. Colder than current nights with a tough frost creating.

Saturday

A chilly and frosty begin for all on Saturday. Snow showers proceed throughout windward coasts, additional spells of extended snow seemingly throughout components of northeast Scotland. Feeling very chilly.

Sunday to Tuesday

Plenty of sunshine by means of the interval, although sleet and snow showers particularly affecting areas uncovered to the northerly wind. Remaining chilly all through with widespread evening frosts. Showers easing from Monday.