Britain is beginning 2026 with a brutal cold snap that has health and social care chiefs on high alert because of the deadly risks posed to the elderly and vulnerable.
Temperatures plummeted to almost –10C in Aberdeenshire overnight as people brought in the New Year.
Warnings have been issued by health chiefs and forecasters over severe wintry conditions that might even feel colder than the icy waters of a New Year’s Day dip.
But swimmers have also been warned to take care if taking to the waters on Britain’s east coast due to a risk of large waves and higher than normal tides whipped up by strong winds today – following last week’s Christmas tragedy in Devon.
This morning, the Met Office issued additional weather alerts for snow and ice for more parts of the country which will see the mercury dip into the negative early on Friday and Saturday.
Alongside existing warnings for swathes of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the forecaster issued a yellow warning for snow and ice on Saturday covering the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East.
An amber warning for heavy snow showers – meaning disruption is more likely and widespread – has been issued this morning for the Highlands north of Inverness, Moray and the entirety of Aberdeenshire, from 12pm tomorrow until 12pm Saturday.
Vehicles could become stranded with snow of up to 10-20cm at low levels and 40cm on high ground; drivers have been warned to prepare a winter kit with clothing, food, water, a blanket and a car charger should they be driving in affected areas.
It’s the first amber alert since November, when one such warning was issued for the North East of England – and only the third in the last year.
A woman walking her dog in Berkshire on New Year’s Eve. Chilly conditions are expected to continue throughout this week
The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for snow and ice covering large parts of the country for Friday
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded cold weather health alerts across England to ‘amber’ – amid concerns that the elderly and vulnerable are more at risk of succumbing to the brutal conditions.
Previous ‘yellow’ alerts across the Midlands and South have been upgraded to amber – amid expectations that the biting chill is expected to have a substantial impact on health services for some time – alongside alerts in the North.
The agency says it expects a rise in deaths among those aged 65 or over and those with long term health conditions.
Health chiefs also predict a ‘likely’ increase in demand for health services and that people will struggle to heat their homes to an ideal 18 degrees Celsius.
Hospitals may also struggle to keep temperatures at recommended levels – and could suffer staffing challenges due to disruption to transport.
Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in health protection at the UKHSA, said: ‘The weather is forecast to be very cold across England over the coming few days.
‘Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions.
‘It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.’
The amber alerts will be in place until 10am on January 6.
Elsewhere, the Met Office has issued yellow weather alerts for ice and snow covering most of Wales, the West Midlands, the Cotswolds, London and Kent, swathes of the Scottish Highlands and islands and the entirety of Northern Ireland tomorrow.
Forecasters have warned of potential disruption on the roads and rails in the south, while rural communities face being cut off by snow or even suffering power cuts.
People are also being warned to take care on icy surfaces due to the risks of slips and falls as sleet and snow clears.
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The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber alerts covering all of England – warning that elderly and vulnerable people are at risk of dying in the cold conditions
Temperatures today will remain in single digits – with colder to come in the days ahead
A Canada goose goes for a skate on some ice at a Somerset nature reserve on New Year’s Eve. Similarly slippy conditions are expected across the UK in the coming days
Those going for a New Year’s dip might find the water feeling warmer than the air around them (pictured: swimmers on Christmas Day)
Sheep in a frosty field in West Yorkshire yesterday. Fresh weather alerts covering the East of England were issued by the Met Office on Thursday morning
The alerts are in place until 10am in Northern Ireland and 12pm in England and Wales, but will last until the end of Sunday in Scotland.
A spokesperson said: ‘This warning highlights the risk of disruptive snow showers and icy surfaces, particularly in northern and eastern areas, with impacts on travel and potential hazards for the public.
‘We expect this cold spell to persist into the weekend and on into next week, with further warnings possible as temperatures remain well below average and snow showers continue in places.’
As Britain brought in the New Year last night, conditions fell to –9.6C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, –6.9C in Yorkshire, –8.1C in Cumbria, –6.4C in Wales and –5.8C in Benson, Oxfordshire.
Today, chilly conditions are expected nationwide, with highs of 5C expected in Belfast, 7C in London, 6C in Manchester, 3C in Edinburgh and 8C in Cardiff.
In a post on X on Wednesday, the Met Office said a ‘dip in the sea’ on January 1 could even feel ‘relatively mild compared to the wind chill that can be expected on land’.
Snow up to 5cm deep could blanket some areas especially on higher ground in parts of North Wales and north–west England, according to forecasters.
Heavy snow is also expected tomorrow in Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, with sleet in some parts of Wales, the West Midlands and London in the early hours of the morning.
