A significant winter weather system, now being described as a potential 'blizzard', is set to strike the UK this week, bringing substantial snowfall to large parts of the country. Forecast maps have been upgraded, indicating the snow event will now unfold across Thursday 15th and Friday 16th January 2026.
Forecast Maps Turn White Across the North
According to data from the Met Desk and the GFS model used by WX Charts, snow is predicted to begin sweeping across England, Scotland, and Wales from late on Thursday. The wintry conditions are expected to persist well into Friday, with heavy rain potentially turning to sleet and snow. The maps show a stark white covering for everywhere north of the Midlands.
The most severe accumulations are forecast for Scotland, where the Perthshire region could see up to 26cm (over 10 inches) of snow. In England, eleven specific counties have been identified as being at particular risk from the incoming snow blast.
Counties on Alert for Disruption
The English counties earmarked for significant snowfall include:
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Cheshire
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Yorkshire
- Derbyshire
- Durham
- Cumbria
- Northumberland
BBC and Met Office Outlook
The BBC Weather team forecasts a risk of wet and windy weather pushing northwards across England and Wales on Thursday. Scotland and Northern Ireland may start drier but will see the snow develop. By Friday, showers are expected across western parts, with snow over Scottish hills.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office forecast for late January suggests changeable conditions are likely to continue. They state there is a possibility of colder conditions and associated winter hazards at times, due to higher pressure extending from the north or east. A north-south split may develop later in the period, with wetter weather in the north and drier conditions in the south.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to monitor the latest weather warnings from the Met Office and prepare for potential travel disruption on Thursday and Friday.
