UK weather: Snow to batter parts of Britain as temperatures plunge to -12C in Scandinavian big freeze alert

UK health authorities have issued a slew of cold-weather health alerts, including a level-2 warning across northern England.

A marked shift in weather patterns across the region as high pressure succumbs to low pressure threatens a White New Year.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “The first snow is likely to be in the north of the country on the first of January, as low pressure brings moisture into cold air that is now in situ over the UK.

“Here is where we are also likely to see temperatures drop to minus 10C or minus 12C, feeling colder with the wind chill.

“As we go through the start of 2026, there is likely to be more snowfall to Scotland and northern England, while southern regions may see nothing other than a flurry.”

High pressure responsible for the calm but cold weather during Christmas will give way to low pressure from the North Sea.

As this low comes in from Scandinavia, it will plough moisture into freezing temperatures triggering snow.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a cold weather health alert in force until the end of the first week of January.

It warns of a "rise in deaths" of the elderly and vulnerable, with impacts to transport and energy supplies.

A spokesperson said: “Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services.

“Challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C will lead to a greater risk to vulnerable people.

“There will be a likely increase in demand for health services.”

A yellow level-1 alert has been issued across much of England with a more serious amber warning in force across northern counties.

The outlook for the next couple of days is still cold and calm before winter takes a harder bite on Thursday.

Scotland and northern England face harsh frosts over the coming mornings, before the arrival of snow.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “High pressure will be in charge of the weather for another couple of days, but it will change as we move into the New Year.

“Low pressure then starts to dominate in Scandinavia, and we see a colder, northerly flow developing with an increasing risk of sleet and snow showers particularly across the north of the UK on New Year’s Day.

“There is quite a widespread frost forming across Scotland on Tuesday with temperatures in the countryside dropping to -6C or -7C.”

Meanwhile, high pressure driving clear skies will add a touch of sunshine to crisp mornings, he said.

Showers will nudge in from the north becoming more widespread through the end of the year, he added.

He said: “There are plenty of sunny spells breaking through, with the risk of a few showers across the coast, but where fog lingers through the central belt we could 2C or 3C.

“On Wednesday, there will be plenty of dry weather around with an increasing risk of some showers across northern Scotland, and these will become more widespread into the new year.

“It is turning colder with temperatures falling away and an increasing chance of those showers falling as sleet or snow, particularly across the north.”

The chilly forecast has spurred bookies to slash the odds on next month entering the record books.

Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati said: “2026 could get off to the worst possible start on the weather front, with record-breaking cold temperatures potentially on the cards."