Forecasters have warned the rest of the UK could face heavy snow showers over the first few days of 2026, with Scotland set to bear the brunt of the cold snap.
Northern Ireland though, is likely to avoid heavier showers, with just a few centimetres of snow on higher ground forecast towards the end of the week.
Tonight will remain dry with some clear periods, with frost and patchy fog forming where skies clear and a minimum temperature of zero degrees.
Wintry showers are possible from Thursday evening onwards
After early-morning fog patches clear, tomorrow is also set to be a dry day with some spells of sunshine and a maximum temperature of six degrees.
Wednesday will remain dry with sunny periods, before New Year’s Day brings scattered showers, which will turn to sleet and snow over the hills by the end of the day.
An amber cold health warning has been issued in parts of northern England
Temperatures will drop sharply into Friday and across the weekend, when snow showers may become more frequent.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “As we head into the new year, Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all the UK.
“For Northern Ireland, wintry showers are possible from Thursday evening (2nd) onwards, with possibly around 5 cm of snow accumulating from Thursday to Saturday for some parts of Northern Ireland, most likely over the Antrim Mountains.”
It comes after the Met Office issued an amber cold health alert for some parts of northern England, which is due to remain in place until noon on January 5, with temperatures expected to fall to around -4 degrees.
A yellow warning for snow and ice has also been issued for parts of Scotland from 6am on New Year’s Day until midnight on January 2.
By Friday morning, the Met Office is predicting 2-5cm of snow, with 10cm in certain local areas and 10-20cm in some areas above 200m.
On the highest routes and hills, 30cm or more may build through the period, the forecaster added.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which issued the amber alert for northern England, said the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.
News Catch Up – Monday 29 December
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said the UK was in for “a taste of ‘winter’”.
“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,” he said.
“Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many.
“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.”