The United Kingdom is preparing for a severe and icy start to 2026, with new weather data indicating a bone-chilling Arctic blast will sweep across the nation within days. Forecasters warn that temperatures could plunge as low as -9 degrees Celsius in some regions, marking a dramatic shift from the mild and wet conditions that have characterised much of December.
Forecast Maps Turn Icy Blue
According to the latest charts from weather forecaster WXCharts, a band of freezing weather is set to envelop the country at the beginning of the new year. This follows a December dominated by low pressure, bringing heavy rain and mild westerly or southerly winds. However, a significant change is imminent, with weather maps turning a stark icy blue to signal a sharp and widespread drop to sub-zero temperatures.
The cold snap is forecast to intensify on Saturday, January 3, 2026. While many areas will see temperatures barely above freezing, the most extreme conditions are predicted for Scotland. The Scottish Highlands and Perth and Kinross are anticipated to endure the deepest freeze, with lows of -9C expected around 3am. Nearby regions, including Stirling and Argyll and Bute, could see the mercury plummet to -8C.
Nationwide Freeze: From Scotland to the South
The bitter cold will not be confined to the north. Other parts of Scotland are set for temperatures between -2C and -4C. Moving south of the border, large swathes of Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West of England are bracing for lows of -4C. In Wales, North Wales could also experience -4C, while Cardiff and Swansea are likely to face a chilly -1C.
Even traditionally milder regions will feel the bite. Forecasts suggest London, the South West, and the East of England will see temperatures hovering between -2C and -1C. The freeze is expected to persist through the morning of January 3rd, with vast areas of Scotland remaining well below zero by 9am.
Official Outlook and Warnings
The Met Office has echoed these predictions in its extended outlook for the period from December 26 to January 4. It cautions of "below average temperatures" across the UK. The forecast indicates that high pressure will likely dominate, bringing settled conditions but with an increasing chance of showers later in the period.
The Met Office statement adds: "Temperatures will be below average much of the time, with frost likely where clear skies and light winds prevail." This official warning underscores the need for the public to prepare for a prolonged spell of wintry weather, including widespread frost and potentially hazardous conditions on roads and pavements as the new year arrives.
