Forecasters say we’ll awake to face a fresh blizzard almost the length of the British Isles
Chris Riches and Kirstie McCrum
17:10, 05 Jan 2026Updated 20:49, 05 Jan 2026
Snowy conditions on Dartmoor(Image: PA)
Swathes of the country are set to be engulfed by blankets of snow according to new snow maps. Fresh weather maps from WXCharts.com show the day that Brits will awake to a blizzard stretching down the length of the country, with temperatures that could reach in parts as low as -12C.
Sunday night was the coldest night of the season so far for England and Wales. Shap in Cumbria was measured as the coldest spot at -10.9C.
This morning (Monday) swathes of the UK woke to frozen windscreens and snow-blanketed roads, pavements and driveways, sparking school closures and travel chaos.
Forecasters say that tomorrow (January 6) will see it turn a little milder, but with snow likely to hit high ground in Scotland and England. And fresh weather maps from WXCharts.com show that next Sunday, January 11, we should brace for another Arctic blast.
The maps show a pre-dawn fresh blizzard almost the length of the British Isles sweeping in, with the mercury potentially plunging as low as -12C (10.4F) in parts of the Scottish Highlands, the Daily Express reports.
Snowfall could affect most of Scotland and large parts of northern England and higher ground down the Pennines. Meanwhile, swathes of England are forecast to experience temperatures between -3C and -6C, with the lowest temperatures expected on higher ground in northern England.
By midday most of the UK could be affected by either icy rain or snow (Image: WX CHARTS)
By midday on Sunday, most of the UK could be affected by either icy rain or snow, maps reveal.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has already issued amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, which are currently in effect until Friday – but these could be extended
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for Friday, January 9, until Sunday, January 18, warns of “significant snowfall” being “possible in places, particularly northern hills”.
It explains: “A changeable period is expected, with Atlantic frontal systems occasionally affecting the UK, bringing spells of rain, likely preceded by snow in some areas, more especially central, northern and eastern parts.
“Some significant snowfall is possible in places, particularly on northern hills. These low-pressure systems could also bring some strong winds.
UK snow maps show exact day this week half of Britain is engulfed in 700 mile blizzard (Image: WX CHARTS)
“These will be interspersed with quieter, drier interludes under transient ridges of high pressure, with the potential for frost, and wintry showers along coasts exposed to northerly winds.
“Temperatures will tend to trend closer to average as the period progresses, mainly in the south, such that the frequency of wintry hazards, especially in the south, may reduce slightly.
“However, there is a hint late in this period that it may briefly turn widely drier and colder again.”
Snow and ice caused significant disruption this morning, with thousands of pupils – hoping to be reunited with their school friends after the Christmas holidays – having to wait at least an extra day.
New heat maps shows parts of northern UK could see -12C(Image: WX CHARTS)
Hundreds of schools are closed on Monday across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales due to the travel chaos caused by the flurries of snow.
Sarah Keith-Lucas, BBC Weather presenter, described this week’s freezing weather as sparked by “cold Arctic air”.
She adds: “Tuesday will turn a little milder, but further hill snow is possible over the higher ground of Scotland and northern England.
“Later in the day and through the night, another area of rain, sleet and hill snow will affect the southern half of the UK.
“Any snowfall by Tuesday is not expected to be as heavy or disruptive as it has been over the past few days.”
