Two amber weather warnings have been issued with a snow blast set to slam much of the UK, amid a major health warning due to the freezing temperatures expected over the weekend.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday.
Another amber snow warning will then be in place across northern England and parts of the Midlands from 9pm on Saturday until close of Sunday.
Up to 40cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas, while much of the warning area can expect 3cm to 7cm, the Met Office says.
A yellow weather warning for ice across Scotland, north west England, northern Wales and parts of Northern Ireland will be in place from 4pm on Friday until 10am on Saturday, before another snow and ice warning covers much of England from 12pm on Saturday until 23:59pm on Sunday.
A yellow snow warning will then grip Scotland at midnight on Sunday, lasting into Monday.
Temperatures plummeted on Thursday night reaching as low as -7.4C. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Cold-Health Alert (CHA), warning of an “increase in risk to health”.
Key Points
- Mapped: All weather warnings in place over the weekend
- Baby boy dies after A1 car crash in icy conditions
- Amber snow warnings issued for snow and ice
- Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
- Major health warning issued with rise in deaths possible
Full report: Baby boy dies after A1 car crash in icy conditions
15:45
Alex Croft
A seven-month-old baby has died after a car lost control and hit a tree on the A1, with police investigating whether the incident was linked to icy conditions.
Emergency services were called to reports of a collision on the A1 near Grantham at just after 10.50pm on Thursday.
A baby boy was taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead at around 5am on Friday, after a yellow Honda Jazz hit a tree around 500 yards from the Spittlegate junction.
A woman also travelling in the same car suffered serious injuries, while two other passengers were not seriously injured.
Athena Stavrou reports:
In pictures: Edinburgh streets covered with snow
15:27
Alex Croft
Mapped: All weather warnings in place over the weekend
15:09
Alex Croft
Here are the weather warnings over the weekend, mapped:
Friday
A weather warning for ice will be introduced at 4pm on Friday, lasting until 10am on Saturday.
Saturday
Three warnings - two amber and one yellow - will be introduced on Saturday as snowy and icy conditions grip much of the UK.
Sunday
A yellow warning for snow will be introduced across most of Scotland at 12am on Sunday, lasting until 12pm on Monday.
Monday
Only the one yellow warning for snow in Scotland will remain on Sunday, with all other warnings lifted. The Met Office warns there may be more warnings going into next week.
Loganair: ‘Postpone England, Wales and Isle of Man flights this weekend if you wish’
14:49
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent
Loganair is offering flexibility to passengers booked to travel on Saturday or Sunday to or from five English airports, as well as Cardiff and the Isle of Man.
The Glasgow-based regional airline said: “In view of the amber weather warning forecast for snow on Saturday, 4 January and Sunday, 5 January across northern England and Wales and the potential for travel disruption, we are offering customers the opportunity to adjust travel plans without charge.”
The English airports are Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.
Standard procedure is to allow passengers to defer their journey by up to a week for no charge. This reduces the risk of the traveller encountering disruption – and also cuts the number of passengers that the airline might need to managed if flights are affected.
What is causing the cold weather this weekend?
14:32
Alex Croft
The Met Office has explained what is causing the cold snap which will grip the UK, in what will be a “weekend of two halves”.
Saturday will see largely settled conditions thanks to a band of high pressure sitting above the UK, as a band of low pressure moves into the south west.
It will be a chilly day across the UK with scattered, wintry showers before rain moves in from the southwest.
The band of low pressure will move across the north east towards the UK on Sunday, bringing less settled conditions as rain, snow, and freezing rain spreads in from the south west.
It will be another cold day in the north, with temperatures turning briefly milder in the south, the Met Office says.
A weekend of two halves ⛅ ️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2025
Make sure you stay up to date with the latest warnings and advice ⚠️
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https://t.co/j7ojlIej4g#WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/WCehafGi9r
What is the forecast for next week?
14:11
Alex Croft
Colder conditions will “develop widely across the UK” going into next week, the Met Office says.
As the system bringing snow this weekend moves across to the east, a cold flow of air will establish itself across the UJK.
Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said: “The system bringing this weekend’s snow will move away to the east by Monday, allowing a cold a northerly flow to become established again for much of next week.
“This will bring further snow showers to northern Scotland in particular, but possibly to some other areas, especially near western coasts, with a fair amount of dry and bright weather elsewhere.
“Temperatures will remain below average, with widespread frost and the risk of ice at times. Some areas, especially in the north, may struggle to get above freezing for several days.
“It is possible further weather warnings will be issued for the start of next week, so it’s advisable to stay up to date with the forecast.”
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather will hit UK this weekend with up to 40cm snowfall forecast
13:52
Alex Croft
Five weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office with snow and ice set to strike Britain over the weekend, as temperatures plummet for the first weekend of 2025.
Two amber weather warnings have been issued, including a warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday, covering most of the Midlands, Wales and parts of northern England.
Another amber snow warning will be issued across northern England and parts of the Midlands from 9pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday.
There will be “significant accumulations” of snow over the weekend, Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said, with up to 40cm possible in the worst affected areas of the amber warning. Around 3-7cm is expected more widely.
Here is all you need to know about the upcoming snow warnings:
In pictures: Brits wrap up warm as cold snap strikes
13:32
Alex Croft
Baby boy dies after A1 car crash in icy conditions
13:18
Athena Stavrou
A seven-month-old baby has died after a car lost control on a dual carriageway and hit a tree, with police investigating whether the crash was linked to icy conditions.
Police were called to a single-vehicle collision involving a yellow Honda Jazz on the A1 near Grantham in Lincolnshire at just after 10.50pm on Thursday.
The car left the southbound carriageway around 500 yards from the Spittlegate junction, hit a tree and came to rest on the road.
The baby boy was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead just after 5am on Friday, Lincolnshire Police said.
A woman also travelling in the same car suffered serious injuries, while two other passengers were not seriously injured.
There were no weather warnings in place for Grantham at the time of the crash, but Met Office records show temperatures were below freezing at 11pm on Thursday.
‘Reduce your speed’ - National Highways
13:13
Alex Croft
Drivers have been advised to reduce speed and keep distance from other cars as ice is expected to cover large parts of the UK.
National Highways severe weather resilience manager, Darren Clark: “If you are travelling this weekend, keep your distance and reduce your speed. Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock when ice or snow is forecast, but it is still important to drive to the conditions.
“Even in conditions that seem normal and where the snow is not settling you could always experience slippery conditions.
“Drivers should plan their journeys, check their vehicles, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.”
Met Office chief forecaster, Jason Kelly, said “freezing rain” - meaning “supercooled rain droplets” which hit the ground before they “instantly freeze” - could lead to “treacherous conditions”.
Baby killed in crash as police investigate possible link to icy conditions
13:13
Athena Stavrou
A seven-month-old baby has died after a car lost control on a dual carriageway and hit a tree, with police investigating whether the crash was linked to icy conditions.
Police were called to a single-vehicle collision involving a yellow Honda Jazz on the A1 near Grantham in Lincolnshire at just after 10.50pm on Thursday.
The car left the southbound carriageway around 500 yards from the Spittlegate junction, hit a tree and came to rest on the road.
The baby boy was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead just after 5am on Friday, Lincolnshire Police said.
A woman also travelling in the same car suffered serious injuries, while two other passengers were not seriously injured.
There were no weather warnings in place for Grantham at the time of the crash, but Met Office records show temperatures were below freezing at 11pm on Thursday.
‘Significant’ snowfall expected - Met Office full forecast
12:53
Alex Croft
The Met Office has released its new forecast for the weekend, and says “significant accumulations of snow” are possible across large parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly, said: “This weekend will bring a range of weather hazards to the UK, notable snow accumulations, freezing rain, ice and heavy rain as well as some gusty conditions.
“We have issued a number of severe weather warnings, including Amber warnings for snow and ice in parts of England and Wales.
“Some significant accumulations of snow are possible across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England in particular, where 5 cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of mid and north Wales and potentially 30-40 cm over parts of the Pennines.
“This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow.”
Met Office graphic reveals Friday afternoon forecast
12:32
Alex Croft
This afternoon brings a mixture of sunny spells and scattered, wintry showers, although it will feel chilly for all ️ pic.twitter.com/fIdpNI6UnC
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2025
Mapped: Cold weather health warning
12:12
Alex Croft
The UKHSA has released a map of the areas under a cold weather health warning.
It warns there will be an “increase in risk to health”, particularly for vulnerable people and the elderly. The warning will last until Wednesday 8 January.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, a health protection chief at UKHSA, said vulnerable people will be more at risk of “heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures”.
Full list of weather warnings as Britons told to brace for freezing weather
11:51
Alex Croft
The Met Office has issued five weather warnings in the coming days as the UK welcomes in 2025 with a cold snap.
The forecasters have told Britons to prepare for freezing temperatures, ice and up to 40cm of snow over the weekend.
- Friday 4pm to Saturday 10am: Yellow ice warning for Scotland, northwest England, northern Wales and parts of Northern Ireland.
- Saturday 12pm to Sunday 23:59pm: Yellow snow and ice warning for most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales.
- Saturday 6pm to Sunday 12pm: Amber snow and ice warning for most of Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England.
- Saturday 9pm to Sunday 23:59pm: Amber snow warning for most of northern England and parts of the Midlands.
- Sunday 12am to Monday 12pm: Yellow snow warning for most of Scotland.
AA warns of ‘Miserable Monday’ as UK goes back to work
11:50
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent
The UK’s biggest motoring organisation has predicted it will receive at least 14,000 callouts on Monday, the first working day of the year for many people. The expected figure is 50 per cent higher than an average Monday.
Drivers will be returning to vehicles left unused over the festive period during a severe cold snap. On the equivalent day last year (Tuesday 2 January 2024), The AA was called to more than 5,000 vehicles that wouldn’t start or had a flat battery.
Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “A third of households have more than one car but over Christmas, only one tends to get used for visiting friends and family or to hit the Boxing Day sales. The main commuter car often gets left unused, which means problems go unnoticed until it’s time to head back to work.
“Cold conditions cause the power output of the battery to drop, and shorter journeys tend to drain your battery’s energy faster. To get a good charge in time to start up the commute, try to drive your car a couple of times for at least half an hour each trip.”
With amber weather warnings in place for much of the UK, the AA said: “Motorists are urged to proceed with caution and allow plenty of space between you and the car in front to account for increased stopping distances.
“Taking warm layers and keeping at least a quarter of a tank of fuel or adequate EV charge in case of unexpected delays is advised.
“It’s also important to remember that opportunist car thieves welcome the frosty conditions, so never leave the car unattended with the engine running and the keys inside.”
Number of people in hospital with flu quadrupled in a month, NHS figures show
11:27
Alex Croft
The number of people hospitalised with flu in England has quadrupled in a month heaping pressure on NHS services, new figures show.
An average of 4,469 flu patients were in beds in England each day last week, including 211 in critical care.
This is up 17 per cent from 3,818 the previous week, when 184 were in critical care. It is also more than four times the number on 1 December, when the total stood at 1,098.
NHS chiefs have warned that cases are rising at a “very concerning rate” and that the extreme cold snap expected over the weekend could compound the health risk for elderly and vulnerable people.
As UK health authorities issue a cold weather health warning, Holly Bancroft reports on the rise in flu hospitalisations:
Amber snow warnings issued for snow and ice
11:06
Alex Croft
Two amber weather warnings have been issued for snow and ice across much of the UK over the weekend.
An amber snow warning will be in place across northern England and parts of the Midlands from 9pm on Saturday until 23:59pm on Sunday.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday.
Up to 40cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas, while much of the warning area can expect 3cm to 7cm, the Met Office says.
Yellow weather warning for ice issued across north
10:36
Alex Croft
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice across Scotland, north west England, northern Wales and parts of Northern Ireland.
Temperatures will fall “widely below freezing during Friday evening”, the forecaster says, with ice expected to form after “scattered” rain, sleet and snow showers.
The forecaster says travel conditions will be difficult and warns of the possibility of “injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces”.
It will kick in at 4pm on Friday and last until 10am on Saturday.
In pictures: UK freezes over amid sub-zero temperatures
10:08
Alex Croft
Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
09:48
Alex Croft
Temperatures are dropping across the UK with snow weather warnings in place.
Meteorologists had warned that temperatures overnight could have plummeted to as low as minus 8C as a week-long spell of wintry conditions hit the UK.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
With this news, many will be thinking about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.
It’s important to prepare our dogs, as well as ourselves, for this forecast.
Read the full report:
What is the difference between different weather warnings?
09:30
Alex Croft
Watch: York flooding surrounds businesses after River Ouse bursts banks
09:11
Alex Croft
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather will hit UK this weekend with 20-30cm blanket forecast
08:50
Alex Croft
A three-day snow warning has been issued by the Met Office for much of Britain, with temperatures set to plunge for the first weekend of 2025.
Around 5cm of snow is expected to fall widely across swathes of the Midlands, Wales and northern England, with as much as 20-30cm over high ground in Wales or the Pennines.
The forecasters warned that some could experience power cuts during the 45 hour alert beginning on Saturday, while there is a slight chance that some rural communities could also become cut off.
The warning area covers all of Wales, southern Scotland, and almost all of England – barring parts of the southern and eastern coasts – and will be in place from 12pm on Saturday until 9am on Monday.
Athena Stavrou reports
Major health warning issued with rise in deaths possible
08:24
Alex Croft
British health authorities have issued a major health warning with temperatures set to plummet and snow expected to grip the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber Cold-Health Alert (CHA), starting at midday on Thursday and lasting until Wednesday 8 January.
There is an “increase in risk to health” for elderly people, people with pre-existing health conditions, and other vulnerable groups - including those sleeping rough.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
Mapped: Friday’s weather warnings
08:05
Alex Croft
Three weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for Friday.
Here they are:
- A yellow weather warning for ice covering western areas of Wales until 10am.
- A yellow weather warning for ice covering north west England, western Scotland and northeastern areas of Northern Ireland until 10am.
- A yellow warning for snow and ice covering northeast Scotland until 10am.
‘Chilly start to Friday' - Met Office
07:34
Alex Croft
The Met Office has released a graphic revealing what to expect on Friday morning as a cold snap grips the UK.
Here’s what’s in store:
A chilly start to Friday, with snow and ice warnings in force for coastal parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 2, 2025
Frosty in the south beneath clearer skies, but cloudier further north, with wintry showers affecting parts of Scotland and windward facing coasts ️ pic.twitter.com/vS5i770Agw
Aerial video shows collapsed Cheshire canal bank as flood devastates village
07:00
Athena Stavrou
The banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Cheshire collapsed on New Year’s Day after heavy rainfall, devastating the small village of Little Bollington.
Aerial footage shows water from the canal pouring into the village, which sits on the outskirts of Manchester.
Cheshire Police released a statement saying a section of the M56 had been closed and a number of nearby houses had to be evacuated.
Earlier the same day, the Greater Manchester police declared a major incident after flooding left city residents trapped in their houses.
Full list of weather warnings as Britons told to brace for freezing weather
06:00
Athena Stavrou
The Met Office has issued four weather warnings in the coming days as the UK welcomes in 2025 with a cold snap.
The forecasters have told Britons to prepare for freezing temperatures, ice and up to 30cm of snow over the weekend.
• Thursday 4pm to Friday 10am: Yellow snow and ice warning for northeast Scotland.
• Thursday 5pm to Friday 10am: Yellow ice warning for northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
• Saturday 12pm to Monday 9am: Yellow snow warning for most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales.
• Sunday 12am to Monday 12pm: Yellow snow warning for most of Scotland.
Cold snap ‘could put elderly at risk of death’ as fuel payments cap criticised
05:00
Athena Stavrou
An imminent cold snap could put the elderly at risk of death, the UK Health Security Agency has warned, as a charity criticised the Government’s decision to limit winter fuel payments.
The UKHSA has issued cold weather health amber alerts from 12pm on Thursday until January 8 meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the Government’s decision to limit the winter fuel allowance to only the poorest pensioners will be put “into sharp relief” by the cold snap.
Ms Abrahams said the charity had already been contacted by older people “worrying about what to do when this moment arrived”.
From this winter, only people on pension credit or certain other benefits will receive the winter fuel payments while more than nine million others are set to be stripped of the allowance.
“We urge older people to do everything they can to stay warm, even if that means risking spending more on their heating than they feel they can afford,” the charity director said. “The energy companies are under an obligation to help if you are struggling and there may be support available from your local council too.”
Flood water in York after the River Ouse burst its banks.
03:30
Athena Stavrou
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather will hit UK this weekend with 20-30cm blanket forecast
02:00
Athena Stavrou
A three-day snow warning has been issued by the Met Office for much of Britain, with temperatures set to plunge for the first weekend of 2025.
Around 5cm of snow is expected to fall widely across swathes of the Midlands, Wales and northern England, with as much as 20-30cm over high ground in Wales or the Pennines.
The forecasters warned that some could experience power cuts during the 45 hour alert beginning on Saturday, while there is a slight chance that some rural communities could also become cut off.
Read the full story here:
2024 was fourth hottest on record for UK as climate warms, Met Office says
00:30
Athena Stavrou
Last year was the fourth warmest on record for the UK, the Met Office said, in another “clear illustration that our climate is changing, right now”.
Provisional figures for 2024 from the Met Office showed an average temperature for the UK of 9.78C, 0.64C above the 1991-2020 average and putting it in fourth place for the warmest year following 2022, 2023 and 2014.
While the Met Office said UK weather was variable, the long term trends showed clear evidence in this country of how the global climate was warming.
How much snow is expected over weekend?
Thursday 2 January 2025 23:00
Athena Stavrou
About 5cm of snow is expected widely across the Midlands, Wales and northern England, the Met Office has said.
As much as 20-30cm could be seen over high ground in Wales and/or the Pennines, the forecaster added.
Full list of weather warnings as Britons told to brace for freezing weather
Thursday 2 January 2025 22:00
Athena Stavrou
The Met Office has issued four weather warnings in the coming days as the UK welcomes in 2025 with a cold snap.
The forecasters have told Britons to prepare for freezing temperatures, ice and up to 30cm of snow over the weekend.
• Thursday 4pm to Friday 10am: Yellow snow and ice warning for northeast Scotland.
• Thursday 5pm to Friday 10am: Yellow ice warning for northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
• Saturday 12pm to Monday 9am: Yellow snow warning for most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales.
• Sunday 12am to Monday 12pm: Yellow snow warning for most of Scotland.
Travel warnings issued as cold snap and icy weather grips the UK
Thursday 2 January 2025 21:00
Athena Stavrou
Britons wanting to travel home after the New Year have been warned to expect travel disruptions on Thursday, as icy weather grips the UK.
The Met Office has warned that the country will be welcoming 2025 with a cold snap with snow expected to fall over the first weekend of the year.
On Thursday, more ice and snow warnings were issued across much of Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
Temperatures are expected to stay low in the first days of the year, with air from much further north flowing across the country.
For those who intend to travel despite the current wintry weather, both the Met Office and National Rail issued alerts to remind Britons to plan ahead if on the move on Thursday.
Read the full story:
Aerial video shows collapsed Cheshire canal bank as flood devastates village
Thursday 2 January 2025 20:00
Athena Stavrou
The banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Cheshire collapsed on New Year’s Day after heavy rainfall, devastating the small village of Little Bollington.
Aerial footage shows water from the canal pouring into the village, which sits on the outskirts of Manchester.
Cheshire Police released a statement saying a section of the M56 had been closed and a number of nearby houses had to be evacuated.
Earlier the same day, the Greater Manchester police declared a major incident after flooding left city residents trapped in their houses.
Where are weather warnings in place for today?
Thursday 2 January 2025 19:00
Athena Stavrou
The Met Office has issued two fresh weather warnings for Thursday afternoon, as more ice and snow is expected in the UK.
The first warning for snow and ice came into place at 4pm on Thursday for northeast Scotland, while the second yellow warning for ice will begin at 5pm across northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
Both warnings are expected to expire at 10am on Friday.
NHS board issues warning to avoid going out in morning and night amid freezing conditions
Thursday 2 January 2025 18:28
Andy Gregory
An NHS board has warned people to avoid going outside in the early morning and late at night when conditions are more hazardous.
Warning of the potential for slips and falls, the NHS Black Country integrated care board said: “Avoid going out early when the frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark.”
The body previously issued the same warning during freezing weather in November.
Slips, trips and falls become more likely during icy weather conditions, so it’s important to be mindful of the weather before setting off.
— NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) (@NHSinBlkCountry) January 2, 2025
Keep your hands free
Wear shoes with good grip
❄️ Avoid going out early when the frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark. pic.twitter.com/fb1NtZVRHO
Drivers navigate flooded roads near Leeds
Thursday 2 January 2025 18:00
Athena Stavrou
Lows of minus 8C expected tonight
Thursday 2 January 2025 16:42
Athena Stavrou
Temperatures could fall as low as minus 8C on Thursday night in rural southern Scotland and northern England, the Met Office said.
It will also be cold in rural Wales and the south west of England with minus 6C expected.
There are two yellow weather warnings in place across Scotland tonight, with more to come into place across the country on Saturday.
Cold snap ‘could put elderly at risk of death’ as fuel payments cap criticised
Thursday 2 January 2025 16:14
Athena Stavrou
An imminent cold snap could put the elderly at risk of death, the UK Health Security Agency has warned, as a charity criticised the Government’s decision to limit winter fuel payments.
The UKHSA has issued cold weather health amber alerts from 12pm on Thursday until January 8 meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the Government’s decision to limit the wi
