The United Kingdom is preparing for a significant and disruptive bout of wintry weather, with fresh forecasts predicting heavy snowfall for dozens of cities before the end of January. Meteorologists are warning that some regions could see accumulations of up to half a metre, accompanied by a severe plunge in temperatures that may reach a bone-chilling -13°C.
Widespread Snow and Arctic Temperatures Forecast
According to the latest data from weather mapping service WXCharts, a substantial snow event is on the cards for Thursday, 29 January 2026. The models indicate snowfall rates could hit 10mm per hour in some parts of the country, leading to rapid accumulations.
Central England is expected to be heavily impacted, with cities like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry potentially seeing snow depths reach 30cm. However, the most extreme conditions are predicted for northern Britain. Northern regions of Scotland could be buried under as much as 50cm of snow, with the same areas also experiencing the coldest temperatures. Scotland is forecast to bear the brunt of the freeze, with some spots plummeting to a bitter -13°C.
Met Office Confirms Colder Shift Ahead
The Met Office has acknowledged the growing potential for this severe wintry spell. In its outlook for the period from 20 to 29 January, the national forecaster describes a battle between milder Atlantic air and colder conditions from the east.
The forecast states that while milder, changeable weather may dominate initially, "later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder." It adds that this transition, though still uncertain, "increases the chance of snow across parts of the country." Elsewhere in the UK outside of Scotland, temperatures are expected to fall to around -4°C during this cold snap.
Full List of Cities on Snow Alert
The widespread nature of the forecast means a long list of UK cities could experience significant snowfall. Residents in the following 57 locations are advised to stay updated with the latest weather warnings and travel advice:
Aberdeen, Armagh, Bangor, Bangor (NI), Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Carlisle, Chester, Chichester, Coventry, Derby, Derry/Londonderry, Doncaster, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh, Ely, Glasgow, Gloucester, Hereford, Hull, Inverness, Lancaster, Leeds, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, Liverpool, Lisburn, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Newport, Newry, Nottingham, Oxford, Perth, Peterborough, Preston, Ripon, Salford, Salisbury, Sheffield, Stirling, Stoke, Sunderland, Wakefield, Winchester, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Wrexham, York.
With the exact date for the heaviest snow now pinpointed, authorities and the public are urged to prepare for potential travel disruption, school closures, and the health impacts of such severe cold. The coming days will be critical for refining the forecast, but all signs point to a dramatic and frosty end to the month.
