Bold headline: Cold snapwarning issued as Arctic air drives snow and ice risk across much of the UK.
A four-day cold-weather health alert is now in effect for England, with the Met Office warning that some areas could see snow and ice. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), applies to central and northern regions and runs until 8am on Monday. It cautions that vulnerable individuals may be at greater risk and notes the potential for minor pressures on health services due to higher demand.
For local forecasts, check your area’s weather outlook.
The Met Office explains that an Arctic maritime air mass is bringing the chill and has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice, valid until noon on Friday. The warning covers almost all of Scotland and much of northern England, with higher-ground locations possibly waking up to a dusting of snow.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said higher elevations—above 200 metres in Scotland and northern England—could see 2–5 cm of snow, and above 300 metres, amounts could double to as much as 10 cm. While southern regions may see some sunny spells on Friday, rain is forecast for the Midlands and Wales.
Looking ahead, Saturday is expected to be colder with a widespread morning frost and temperatures struggling to rise above freezing. It should be a brighter and drier day compared with recent weeks, and for many could be the first completely dry day of 2026, with daytime highs around 4–6°C (39–43°F).
However, that brief relief is not expected to last. The Met Office warns that a weather front will sweep in from the west on Sunday, bringing more rain, strong winds, and snow to northern areas.
The year has started with a soggy spell, driven by a persistent blocking pattern, which has contributed to record-breaking monthly rainfall and several flooding incidents. January alone saw 26 weather stations set new monthly records, according to the Met Office, and Northern Ireland endured its wettest January in 149 years.
