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Brits will start the new year Snow shower as Met Office new question weather warn.
up to 5 cm Snow is expected Covering parts of the country starting at midnight on January 1 as the cold snap brings freezing temperatures to many people. The icy weather will also cause disruption as people travel across the country after New Year’s celebrations.
A yellow warning for ice and snow will be issued from midnight to noon on Friday, covering a large area. England and Walesinclude chester and greater manchester drop to London and kent.
A separate yellow alert has also been issued in Northern Ireland from midnight to 10am on Friday, and in northern Scotland from 6am on New Year’s Day until the end of Friday.
Forecasters have warned that up to 10cm of snow could fall in parts of Scotland by Friday as showers turn to snow north of Glasgow. The icy weather is expected to move southeast across parts of England and Wales on Thursday, with blizzard conditions expected to last two to three hours.
Accumulations of around 1cm to 2cm are expected where the snow has fallen, with up to 5cm possible in higher ground areas in North Wales and northwest England.
The Met Office advises people to leave home at least five minutes earlier than usual to reduce the risk of slipping when in a hurry. It also urges people to check roads and public transport before traveling and to allow extra travel time.
Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “It does look like we’ve got a taste of ‘winter’ as we head into the new year, first in the north but more broadly across the region.” U.K. First week of 2026.
“Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold weather across the UK, which will feel particularly cold in strong winds. Widespread and locally severe frost is expected, with many people also experiencing the first snow of winter.
“A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for New Year’s Day and beyond for northern Scotland, where frequent heavy snowfall may cause some travel disruption.
“As we move into the new year, these colder weather and winter hazards – snow, ice and strong winds – will develop more widely and more snow and ice warnings are likely. It looks like this cold snap will continue into at least the first week of January, so it’s important that people stay up to date on the latest forecasts and warnings.”
The UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a Yellow Cold Health Alert to health authorities, covering the North East and North West of England until January 5. All other areas of England are under a yellow alert during this period.
This means cold temperatures could impact people’s health and well-being. UKHSA head of extreme events and health protection Dr Agostinho Sousa urged people to check on neighbours, family and friends as temperatures plummet.
“As the weather turns colder, it’s critical to understand our most vulnerable friends, family and neighbors,” he said.
“Forecast temperatures could have serious health consequences for some people, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and chest infections, particularly for people over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Wednesday
New Year’s Eve will be dry and sunny across much of England and Wales. Elsewhere it will be cloudy with scattered showers. It was a cold day and the wind picked up from the north. This is followed by showers and cold weather in higher areas of Scotland.
overnight
Windy and rainy across Scotland, followed by showers. Elsewhere it is drier, with significant lulls, especially in the south. Clear skies with frost and scattered mist or fog. Feeling cold.
New Year
New Year’s Day will be cold and windy, especially in the north and east. There are wintry showers in northern Scotland, extending to the west coast. Dry in sunlight elsewhere.
Friday to Sunday
The weather remains cold with frost at night. The weather is mainly dry with occasional sunshine, but winter showers are possible, especially in the north and sometimes extending to the west and east coasts.