A severe Arctic weather front has plunged the United Kingdom into a deep freeze, triggering widespread travel disruption as snow and ice warnings blanket large parts of the country. The Met Office has issued a series of alerts, with Scotland bearing the brunt of the conditions, leading to significant cancellations on rail networks and hazardous road conditions.
Widespread Warnings and Transport Cancellations
The cold snap, which intensified over the weekend of Saturday 3rd January 2026, saw ScotRail announce several train cancellations, particularly affecting services in the north of Scotland, including routes to Wick and Inverness. Concurrently, a number of roads in the region were closed for safety.
An amber snow warning was in place for Shetland and parts of the far north and north-east of Scotland until noon on Saturday. The forecaster warned that heavy snow showers could isolate some rural communities and posed a risk of power cuts. Furthermore, nearly all of Scotland above Edinburgh and Glasgow, along with the entirety of Northern Ireland, remained under a yellow snow and ice alert until 12pm on Monday.
Network Rail Scotland reported snow accumulations of around 20cm on some lines in northern Scotland. Strong winds between Aberdeen and Laurencekirk caused drifting snow, forcing the closure of the northbound line. A snowplough locomotive was deployed to clear the route.
Bitter Temperatures and Further Risks
Arctic air has driven temperatures well below freezing across the UK. On Friday night, Loch Ness recorded a low of nearly -6°C. Daytime temperatures on Saturday struggled to rise above the low single figures for most, with parts of northern Scotland staying below freezing.
While much of Wales was under a yellow ice warning, the south-west and east coast of England were also braced for heavy snow showers in the coming days. The Met Office has emphasised the likelihood of continued travel disruption and a heightened risk of injuries from falls on icy surfaces.
Official Advice and Forecast
Met Office chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks stated: “Arctic air and brisk northerly winds are gripping the UK as we start the new year. Bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for some, and overnight lows dipping to minus double figures in places.”
She urged the public to stay #WeatherAware, keep updated with forecasts, and plan journeys carefully due to the expected icy roads and slippery surfaces. Across the UK, travellers are being strongly advised to check conditions before setting out, as the freezing weather is predicted to continue in the early part of the new week.
