British Gas urges UK households to stock up on 6 items ahead of first snow

British Gas has advised households to stock up on sleeping bags, blankets, warm coats, food, medicines and water as the first autumn snow is forecast to hit Scotland on October 14.

Brit Brief 14/10/2026 13:20

British Gas urges UK households to stock up on 6 items ahead of first snow — British Gas urges stockpiling 6 items before first UK snow

British Gas has issued guidance to households as the first snowfall of autumn prepares to hit the UK. Forecasts indicate that the season's first snow will arrive over Scotland on October 14, bringing accumulations of as much as 4cm.

Weather maps and charts from WX Charts, which draws on Met Desk data, show patches of white spreading across the north of Scotland. The maps for October 14 suggest as many as 12 counties could receive a dusting.

Essential items to stock up on

In light of this, British Gas has advised households to stock up on sleeping bags, blankets, warm coats, three days' worth of food, medicines, and drinking water.

It said: "While it's unlikely that a heavy snowfall will leave you without any heating, it's always worth keeping sleeping bags, blankets and warm coats handy," reports Birmingham Live.

Emergency kit advice

The energy supplier also encouraged people to put together an emergency kit, adding: "It's a good habit to have at least three days' worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home.

"That's things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks, and extra blankets. You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too."

Forecast for the coming weeks

"The second half of October will probably maintain a changeable pattern overall with weather systems often moving in from the Atlantic," the Met Office has said.

The forecast takes effect from October 17 onwards, with mid-October looking set to signal a notable shift in conditions across the country.

Forecasters at the Met Office added: "These will bring showers or longer spells of rain, with the wettest and windiest weather in the northwest, drier in the southeast."

They continued: "There is a chance that a period of more widely dry conditions could develop for a time, but confidence in the details of this is low. Temperatures will probably be above average overall."