Overview
- The Met Office upgraded parts of the Highlands and northeast Scotland to amber from noon Friday to noon Saturday, with 10–20 cm of snow likely at low levels, 30–40 cm on higher ground and temporary blizzard conditions possible.
- Yellow snow and ice warnings cover much of England and Wales from midnight to noon on Friday, with 1–5 cm possible in places, and Northern Ireland is under a separate yellow warning from midnight to 10 am.
- Forecasters warn of road hazards and likely delays or cancellations on rail and air networks, with advice from authorities to recheck travel plans, allow extra time and consider postponing non‑essential journeys.
- The UK Health Security Agency has amber cold‑health alerts in place across all regions of England through 6 January, citing significant pressure on health and social care and elevated risks for older people and those with existing conditions.
- Parallel winter hazards continue in North America, including Environment Canada’s yellow snow‑squall warning for the London, Ontario area with 5–10 cm and near‑zero visibility, and a Yellow Alert for shifting lake‑effect snow around Lake Ontario in New York.