Britain is set for a wintry start to 2026, with fresh weather data predicting significant snowfall across England in the first week of January. Dramatic new maps from forecasters indicate that six major cities should prepare for disruptive flurries, with some regions potentially seeing accumulations of up to eight inches.
Which Cities Are On The Snow Hit List?
The latest modelling from WXCharts highlights a widespread cold snap expected between January 1 and 7, 2026. While New Year's Day evening is forecast to be clear of settling snow in England, conditions are predicted to deteriorate rapidly from the East. The initial patches will spread from northern Wales into Gloucestershire and the West Midlands.
By 6am on Friday, January 2, the snowfall is expected to reach southern England, affecting areas including Greater London, Surrey, Berkshire, and Hampshire, as well as the regions around Bristol and Swindon. The six English cities specifically identified for snow are:
- Gloucester
- Stoke
- London
- Norwich
- Newcastle
- Sunderland
- Bristol
Teesside Braces For The Deepest Snowfall
The area around Teesside is forecast to bear the brunt of the wintry weather. Forecasts suggest a relentless build-up, with the potential for up to eight inches of snow to settle by 6am on Wednesday, January 7. This significant accumulation is shown on maps to the south-east of Middlesbrough.
From this epicentre, the heavy snow is then predicted to spread northwards to Newcastle, with flakes expected to continue falling throughout the rest of that day. While snow patches in other regions may dwindle in size over the preceding days, flurries are expected to persist.
Met Office Outlook Confirms Wintry Pattern
The national forecast from the Met Office for the period up to January 4 appears to corroborate the WXCharts projections. Their outlook states: "The outlook is for snow early on Friday in the south and west. Wintry showers affecting areas exposed to the northerly winds. Otherwise often sunny. Cold, and windy at first. Overnight frost and ice."
Looking further ahead into the second week of January, from Monday the 5th to Wednesday the 14th, the Met Office warns that cold northerly winds will dominate. These are likely to bring wintry showers, often of snow, to many coastlines and inland areas exposed to onshore winds, particularly in the north-west.
The forecast indicates a risk of more organised bands of precipitation moving in from the west, which could bring further snow on their leading edge. However, confidence in the broader pattern is described as low, with a possibility of further Arctic airflows resuming wintry showers across northern UK areas. Temperatures are expected to recover to just below average for most, though northern regions may remain cold at times.
Residents and travellers in the affected cities are advised to monitor the latest forecasts and prepare for potential disruption to road and rail networks during this period of anticipated severe winter weather.
