The Met Office has issued new yellow weather warnings for snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain and icy conditions across most of the UK this weekend, as an Arctic blast of very cold air moves southwards from northern Scotland. The warnings, which cover potential travel disruption, are in place until Sunday morning.
From 4pm Friday until 10am Saturday, warnings for snow, sleet and hail showers apply to northern Scotland and coastal areas of north-east England and Yorkshire. Ice warnings are in effect from 5pm Friday to 10am Saturday across Wales, south-west England, northern England, the Midlands and the east of England down to London. Northern Ireland also has an ice warning from 8pm Friday to 10am Saturday.
A further snow and ice warning is in place from 9pm Saturday to 10am Sunday, covering Scotland and northern England, with forecasters predicting potentially heavy snow and freezing rain. The Met Office warned of hazardous ice on untreated roads and pavements, and urged drivers to plan ahead.
National Highways reported that the A66 across the Pennines was closed between Bowes in County Durham and Brough in Cumbria due to concentrated snowfall. Crews were working to clear the carriageway, but snowfall was expected to continue throughout Friday morning. Road users were advised to consider alternate routes.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow cold weather alerts for northern England and the Midlands from 6am Friday to 8am Monday, warning of increased risk to life for vulnerable people and higher demand on healthcare services. The wintry weather follows a wet start to 2026 for many parts of the UK, with some areas experiencing 40 days of rain.
