The UK is braced for another day of severe winter disruption as forecasters warn one region could see a staggering 25 inches (65cm) of snow accumulation in the coming days. The Met Office has issued six separate weather warnings, including an amber alert for heavy snow, as a brutal Arctic cold snap continues to grip the nation.
Amber Warning for Heavy Snow
An amber weather warning for snow is in force until 7pm on Tuesday 6th January 2026, covering parts of Scotland. The Met Office states that heavy snow is expected to lead to significant travel disruption, with the potential for road delays, stranded vehicles and passengers. The areas most at risk are the Northern Highlands and the Isle of Skye, where up to 65cm of snow could blanket the landscape.
"The UK will continue to experience a range of winter weather hazards through this week, with low temperatures as well as snow showers and the risk of ice for many," said Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert. He urged the public to keep up to date with forecasts as warnings are likely to be updated.
Widespread Disruption and School Closures
The icy conditions have already forced hundreds of schools to close, including scores across Wales, for the safety of children and staff. Temperatures are widely expected to struggle to rise above freezing on Tuesday, with eastern parts of the country facing the coldest conditions.
In addition to the amber alert, five yellow weather warnings are active across vast swathes of the UK. These include four warnings for snow and ice and one specifically for ice across Northern Ireland. A further snow bomb is forecast later this week, expected to be heaviest across the Midlands as low pressure moves in from the southwest.
Full List of Active Weather Warnings
The Met Office warnings for Tuesday 6th January are extensive. Here is a breakdown of the key alerts:
Amber Warning for Snow (until 7pm)
This covers Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highland region.
Yellow Warnings for Snow and Ice
Multiple yellow warnings are in place, affecting areas including:
- Large parts of Scotland, including the islands.
- Northern and Eastern England, from Lincolnshire to Northumberland and Yorkshire.
- The Midlands, North West England, and Wales (until 11pm).
Yellow Warning for Ice (until 11am)
This warning covers all six counties of Northern Ireland: County Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone.
The public is advised to expect hazardous travel conditions, plan for possible delays, and check for updates on school closures and transport services before setting out.
