Met Office extends UK snow and ice warnings to Monday
Snow and ice are set to stick around. The Met Office has amber snow warnings for parts of northern and eastern Scotland from 12:00 Friday 2 January to 12:00 Saturday 3 January, with wider yellow warnings for snow and ice across England, Wales and Northern Ireland now running into Monday 5 January. Expect difficult travel and sudden changes to local conditions as showers line up on a northerly wind.
Where you’ll feel it most: the amber area includes parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Grampian (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray) and the Highlands. In these zones, forecasters flag the chance of drifting snow, temporary blizzard conditions, power cuts and some vehicles becoming stranded. If you live or work here, today is the moment to rethink plans and give journeys extra margin.
How much snow? On higher ground in Scotland, forecasters say totals could reach around 40cm through Friday into Saturday, with lower levels still seeing significant falls. In parts of England and Wales, a few centimetres are possible, typically closer to 5cm on hills with 1–2cm at lower levels where showers pass. Depths will vary sharply over short distances.
Travel today needs patience. Road, rail and air services are already feeling the strain. Police in the East Midlands report multiple collisions and closures on the A46 near Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, while snow has prompted a northbound closure on the A38 in Derby. East Midlands Airport has warned of delays and diversions. Check operators before leaving and allow extra time.
If you must drive, go in with a plan. Keep your phone charged, tell someone your route, and carry warm clothing, water, some food, a blanket, a torch and an ice-scraper. A high‑visibility vest and an in‑car charger help if you get stuck. The Met Office also advises revisiting your route en route as warnings and road statuses update through the day.
Quick refresher: what yellow and amber actually mean. Yellow signals possible impacts that could catch some of us out; amber means impacts are more likely and more widespread, so you should consider changing plans. The colour is set using an impact‑likelihood matrix, which is why the same colour can feel different in different places-always read the local detail.
Why Arctic air brings bursts of snow. Very cold air spilling south over relatively warmer seas becomes “unstable”, building tall showers that blow inland as snow where the air stays below freezing. Small shifts in wind direction can move those showers from one coast to another, which is why one town can be powdery while the next is quiet.
How long will the chill last? Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong says the cold spell could persist well into next week, with further hazards and additional warnings likely. In practice, that means reviewing weekend plans and checking Sunday night forecasts for Monday morning travel.
Health first. The UK Health Security Agency has amber cold‑health alerts in England until 6 January, warning of extra risks for people aged over 65 and those with heart, lung or other long‑term conditions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also asked people to use A&E for emergencies only during this “bitingly cold” snap. Check on neighbours, keep rooms at 18°C if you can, and watch for slips on untreated paths.
You’ll see public services out in force. Scotland’s gritter and snowplough crews-look out for names like Sir Andy Flurry, Plougher O’Scotland and Robert Brrrns-are treating trunk roads around the clock. They prioritise main routes first, then work outwards, so residential roads can take longer to clear.
What this means for your weekend. Most initial warnings were due to end on Saturday, but updates now carry some areas into Monday morning. Warnings can change quickly as bands of showers shift, so refresh the Met Office page before each journey and build in extra time for school, work or airport runs.
Learning moment to take with you: colour is only the starting point. Read the “What to expect” section for your exact area, note the times, and act early-bringing your start time forward, switching to remote plans, or rescheduling altogether can be the safest choice when showers and ice are in the mix.