A significant winter weather system, dubbed a 'snow bomb', is predicted to sweep across the United Kingdom within days, bringing widespread disruption. Advanced weather modelling indicates the event will cover a staggering distance of 446 miles, impacting a total of 26 counties.
When and Where the Snow Will Strike
According to data from WX Charts and the Met Desk, the snowfall is expected to begin on Thursday, January 15, 2026, and persist into Friday. By 6am on January 16, the snow risk will be at its peak across a vast swathe of the country.
The affected region stretches from Derbyshire in the Midlands all the way north to the tip of Scotland. In England, areas at high risk include Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire.
Full List of Counties Under Threat
The snow will also blanket numerous Scottish counties. The areas forecast to receive a dusting, or more, are:
- East Lothian, Midlothian, and Edinburgh
- Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway
- South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, and North Lanarkshire
- Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Falkirk, and East Dunbartonshire
- Perth and Kinross, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands
Expert Forecast and Weather Context
Looking at the broader picture, Netweather TV forecasts that colder air will arrive from the northwest. A forecaster from the service, Jo Farrow, stated: "A scattering of wintry showers will continue into the evening for western Scotland as the cold air continues to flow in." She added that clearer weather would follow from the west, but warned of potential fog for the Home Counties by Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, BBC forecaster Stav Danaos highlighted an unsettled pattern driven by a reinvigorated jet stream. He explained: "Further areas of low pressure from the Atlantic are expected to bring blustery showers and longer spells of rain across many parts of the UK." He also confirmed that temperatures are set to fall through the week, moving from above the January average to closer to seasonal norms by the weekend.
This impending 446-mile snow event serves as a sharp reminder that winter still has a firm grip on the UK. Residents across the 26 named counties are advised to monitor official forecasts and prepare for potential travel disruption and colder conditions from January 15 onwards.
