When will the snow and freezing rain hit Britain?

The severe weather event is forecast to begin around January 5, 2026.

What areas in Scotland will see snow?

Most of Scotland is expected to receive snow, with exceptions in Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, and the south of the Scottish Borders.

What is freezing rain and where will it occur in the UK?

Freezing rain is liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with cold surfaces. It is forecast for Essex and Hertfordshire.

Home / Weather / UK Braces for Arctic Blast: Snow and Freezing Rain Expected Soon

UK Braces for Arctic Blast: Snow and Freezing Rain Expected Soon

24 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A significant snow and freezing rain event is forecast to impact Britain in two weeks.
Snow is predicted to cover over 540 miles from Scotland to the Midlands.
Freezing rain, a rare phenomenon, is expected in Essex and Hertfordshire.

UK Braces for Arctic Blast: Snow and Freezing Rain Expected Soon

Weather maps are indicating that a substantial snow and freezing rain event is poised to sweep across Britain approximately two weeks from the current date.

Temperatures are projected to plummet around January 5, 2026, bringing snow to a vast swathe of the country. This wintry precipitation is expected to stretch over 540 miles, from Durness in Scotland southward to Birmingham in England. Large portions of Scotland, the north of England, and the Midlands are anticipated to experience snowfall.

Adding to the severe weather warning, a forecast for freezing rain has been issued for Essex and Hertfordshire. This rare form of precipitation occurs when liquid rain falls on cold surfaces and freezes almost instantaneously, forming a clear layer of ice, which can create extremely hazardous conditions.