The UK is braced for a prolonged spell of disruptive snow and ice as the New Year begins, with the Met Office issuing a significant yellow weather warning covering large parts of Scotland and northern England.
Warning Details and Affected Areas
The official alert comes into force at 6am on Thursday, January 1st, and will remain active until 11.59pm on Friday, January 2nd. This creates a potential 42-hour period of hazardous winter conditions.
The warning spans a vast area, with the following regions expected to be most affected:
- Angus, Perth and Kinross
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (the Western Isles)
- The Highland region
- Orkney and Shetland Islands
- Argyll and Bute
Forecasters warn that a surge of bitterly cold Arctic air will spread across the country from New Year's Day, driving temperatures down. Many areas will see highs of just 3-5°C, with parts of Scotland and northern England experiencing so-called 'ice-days' where the mercury struggles to rise above freezing.
Expected Snowfall and Hazards
The Met Office states that showers will turn increasingly to snow through Thursday, accompanied by a strong northerly wind that could reach gale force in some locations.
Initial accumulations are likely on higher routes, but snow will build to lower levels by Thursday evening. By Friday morning, many places could see 2 to 5cm of lying snow, with some localised spots receiving up to 10cm.
The situation is more severe at altitude. Above 200 metres, accumulations of 10-20cm are predicted. On the highest routes and hills, 30cm or more of snow may build up over the two-day period.
The high winds pose an additional risk, likely causing significant drifting of snow and potential blizzard conditions. The Met Office also cautions that lightning could be an extra hazard within the wintry showers.
Travel Disruption and Community Impact
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds is expected to cause considerable travel disruption. The BBC Weather team, echoing the Met Office warning, highlights the risk of delays on the roads and the possibility of vehicles becoming stranded.
Some rural communities could be cut off temporarily due to the conditions. Residents in the affected areas are advised to plan ahead, consider essential journeys only, and stay updated with the latest forecasts and travel advice.
While the most significant impacts are forecast for Northern Scotland, the cold snap will be felt across the UK, marking a sharp turn towards wintry weather as 2025 begins.
