The United Kingdom is on high alert as a significant snow blizzard is forecast to hit parts of the country today, Sunday 11 January 2026. The Met Office has issued a serious amber weather warning for snow across Scotland, with yellow alerts in force elsewhere, prompting fears of severe disruption.
Imminent Snowfall and Widespread Impact
Fresh weather maps from WXCHARTS, utilising MetDesk data, indicated that the snowfall was set to arrive from 6am this morning. The system is expected to bring widespread coverage, stretching from the far north of Scotland at Cape Wrath all the way down to the Peak District in Derbyshire.
By 9am, the most intense accumulations are predicted for parts of Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, where up to 18 inches (45cm) of snow could bury communities. This represents the heaviest fall expected anywhere in the UK. English regions will see lesser amounts, though the hardest-hit areas in the North West could still receive up to 6 inches.
Met Office Warnings and Potential Chaos
The Met Office's amber warning for snow covers Scotland and is in effect from 3am until 3pm today. This is accompanied by separate yellow warnings for wind, rain, snow, and ice across other parts of the nation. The forecaster's Sunday forecast warns of a turn to wet and windy conditions, with a spell of snow across the north and a risk of ice from freezing rain.
The alert spells out the serious potential consequences for the public. It states that travel delays on roads are likely, with the possibility of some vehicles and passengers becoming stranded. Rail and air travel are also expected to face delays and cancellations.
There is a high chance that some rural communities could become cut off entirely. Furthermore, power cuts are likely and other essential services, including mobile phone coverage, may be affected.
Full List of Affected Areas
The following counties are forecast to see snow today, according to the report:
- Northumberland
- Cumberland
- Westmorland
- County Durham
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Cheshire
- Derbyshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Lincolnshire
- Staffordshire
Residents across these regions and particularly in the Scottish amber warning zone are urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid travel unless absolutely essential, and prepare for potential disruption to services. The situation remains under close monitoring by meteorological authorities.
