Britain is braced for a significant cold snap, with new weather data indicating that parts of the country could be buried under as much as 70 centimetres of snow before the end of January. After a relatively mild start to 2026, forecasters warn that hats, gloves, and preparations for wintry disruption will be urgently needed.
Snow Maps Pinpoint the Heaviest Falls
Detailed charts from WXCharts reveal a stark picture for January 31, showing heavy snowfall beginning in the Scottish Highlands and stretching down towards the south coast. The most intense accumulations are predicted for central Scotland, where up to 71cm of snow could settle by 6pm on that date.
Further south, northern England is also in line for a substantial covering. The Pennines and the border region between Cumbria and Northumberland could see accumulations of around 24cm. The meteorological models suggest the final week of January will bring the heaviest snow to the north initially, before the wintry weather pushes southwards.
Bitter Temperatures and a 'Battle Ground' Forecast
Accompanying the snow will be a severe drop in temperatures. On January 30, thermometers could plummet to a bone-chilling -14°C in central Scotland, while many other areas will struggle to rise much above freezing.
The Met Office has highlighted an "increased chance" of a widespread cold spell developing. In its outlook for the period from January 22 to 31, it describes a looming "battle" between milder Atlantic air and colder conditions from the east. "Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate for the majority of the country," the forecast states.
However, it adds a crucial warning: "Temperatures overall likely to be around average, though likely quickly becoming colder in the north east, after which there is an increased chance that conditions will turn more generally colder... This potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country."
Extended Cold Risk into February
The prospect of cold and hazardous conditions is not confined to January. The Met Office's long-range forecast for February 1 to February 15 points to a weather pattern conducive to sustained low temperatures.
It predicts low pressure to the west or southwest and high pressure to the northeast, a setup that "brings an increased chance of cold conditions affecting the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times." This indicates that the snow and ice predicted for late January could be the beginning of a more prolonged wintry period, with potential disruption to travel and daily life.
Residents across the UK, particularly in the highlighted regions of Scotland and northern England, are advised to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for potentially severe winter weather in the coming weeks.
