Yellow weather warning for snow to bring in 2026
Some areas could see as much as 10cm of snow on January 1
Tayside, Grampian and the Highlands could see heavy snow to start 2026, as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for January 1.
The warning is in place from 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on January 2.
People travelling over the holiday are being advised to check their journeys ahead, with some areas expected to get as much as 10cm of lying snow, and up to 20cm in areas 200m above sea-level.
Forecaster Dan Stroud said: "We're losing this sort of settled but chilly conditions, and bringing in something a little bit more showery with more wintry hazards in the forecast, particularly for the north of the country."
"Looks like we are in for a taste of 'winter'
The colder conditions and wintry hazards will develop more widely in the new year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely, the Met Office said.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: "It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of 'winter' as we welcome in the new year, initially in the north, but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026.
"Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds. Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many.
"A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued for northern Scotland on New Year's Day and beyond, where frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption.
"Impacts on younger people"
"These colder conditions and wintry hazards - snow, ice and strong winds - will develop more widely as we enter the new year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely.
“It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it's important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings."
The UKHSA said the UK may also see "impacts on younger people" and there will likely be an "increase in demand for health services" across the regions.
Other impacts include "temperatures inside places like hospitals and care homes dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks", and "challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people", the UKHSA said.
"More risk to vulnerable people"
It also warned of staffing issues due to external factors such as travel delays, and said other sectors, such as transport and energy, could start to see the impacts.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: "As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
"The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions."
The Alzheimer's Society said colder temperatures can be difficult for people with dementia to adjust to and they may not recognise they are cold or be able to communicate it.
The charity has urged people to check in on loved ones, friends and neighbours living with dementia to ensure they are dressed appropriately, in a warm room and eating, drinking and moving regularly.
Making the most of natural daylight, sticking to a routine and encouraging smaller, slower steps in slippery conditions can also help to keep them safe, the charity said.