Widespread travel chaos and school closures have gripped the UK as heavy snow and freezing conditions sweep across the country. The Met Office has issued a raft of amber and yellow weather warnings, leading to significant disruption on Monday, 5 January 2026.
Major Airport Disruption and Flight Cancellations
Hundreds of flights across the UK and mainland Europe have been grounded due to the hazardous conditions. The runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport was forced to close, with teams working to clear snow and ice. This led to the cancellation of easyJet services to Amsterdam and Belfast, with delays to flights bound for Dublin, Lithuania, and Poland.
Aberdeen Airport saw at least 11 cancellations, while the situation in Europe was even more severe, with Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport cancelling 450 flights. London airports have, so far, avoided cancellations.
Nationwide School Closures for Safety
The wintry weather has forced the closure of hundreds of schools to protect pupils, parents, and staff. Significant closures have been confirmed across multiple regions:
In Scotland, schools in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney, and Shetland are shut. In England, numerous schools in Staffordshire are closed, along with St Luke’s Church of England School in Exeter, Devon. Some schools in Devon are opening later to allow for safer travel.
In Wales, several schools in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Gwynedd, and Anglesey are closed. In Northern Ireland, 49 schools have announced closures for Monday.
Met Office Warnings and Forecast
The Met Office has active amber and yellow warnings for snow and ice across vast swathes of the UK. An amber warning for snow and ice is in place for North East Scotland until 10am on Monday, indicating a high likelihood of travel delays, power cuts, and rural communities becoming cut off.
Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert stated: "As we begin the first full working week of the year, we face a range of winter weather hazards with snow showers and ice." He added that some areas in Scotland could see a further 20-30cm of snow, with the potential for more organised snow later in the week as milder air attempts to move in.
Public health officials have urged people to check on vulnerable neighbours, as the cold weather poses serious health risks. The UK Health Security Agency's Dr Agostinho Sousa warned of increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.
