Met Office issues snow warning for parts of UK this week as cold snap hits

Be prepared for snow and ice on New Year's Day

The yellow weather warning, which covers northern parts of Scotland, comes into effect at 6am on New Year's Day (January 1) and remains in place until 11.59pm on Thursday (January 2).

Between 10-20cm of snow could fall in some areas while 30cm of snow is possible on higher ground, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office adds that “significant drifting” of snow is likely, which will impact driving conditions and visibility, as strong “gale force” winds are forecast in some areas.

Travel disruption on roads should be expected by those in the affected areas, while there may be delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

There is also a chance of power cuts and other services impacted, while snow and ice on surfaces might also pose an injury risk.

“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 10 cm of lying snow accumulating by Friday morning”, the Met Office said in its warning.

“Above 200 m some places could see 10-20 cm 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”, it added.

In some northern areas, Met Office temperature maps forecast lows of -5C, with England covered by cold health alerts.

Two amber alerts for the North East and North West have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with the rest of England under yellow alerts.

The alerts came into effect at 8pm on Sunday (December 28) and remain in place until midday on January 5.

According to the UKHSA, an amber alert means cold weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.

UK areas affected by weather warning

Central, Tayside & Fife

Angus
Perth and Kinross
Grampian

Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire
Moray

Highlands & Eilean Siar

Na h-Eileanan Siar
Highland

Orkney & Shetland

Orkney Islands
Shetland Islands

Strathclyde

Argyll and Bute