This page has an accessible alternative.
What do the warning colours mean?
Red warning
- Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
- It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Amber warning
- There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
- This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow warning
- Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
- It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.
Subscribe or share
UK weather warnings
Heavy snow showers becoming more frequent and prolonged will lead to disruption.
What should I expect?
- Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely
- There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
What should I do?
Further detail
Heavy snow showers will become more frequent and may merge to give longer spells of snow at times. The area and period covered by this warning are when the heaviest and most disruptive snow is thought most likely during the current cold spell, with existing yellow warnings covering a wider area and a longer period.
Further accumulations of 10-20cm are likely at low levels with 30-40cm possible on high ground. Windy conditions will also result in some drifting of snow and temporary blizzard conditions.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning amber?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Perth and Kinross
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Highland
Heavy snow showers becoming more frequent and prolonged will lead to disruption.
What should I expect?
- Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Some delays and cancellations to bus and air travel are likely
- There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
What should I do?
Further detail
Heavy snow showers will become more frequent and may merge to give longer spells of snow at times. Further accumulations of 10-15cm are likely at low levels with 20-30cm possible on high ground. Strong winds will also result in drifting of snow and temporary blizzard conditions. Lightning may be an additional hazard.
The period covered by this warning reflects a spell of more frequent snow showers and a higher chance of disruption, and yellow snow and ice warnings remain valid for a longer period.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning amber?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Orkney & Shetland
- Shetland Islands
Frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption to begin the year.
What should I expect?
- Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
- Some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable
What should I do?
Further detail
Showers will turn increasingly to snow through Thursday as a strong, perhaps locally gale force northerly wind sets in. Initially accumulations will mainly affect higher routes, but by evening some accumulations will start to build even to low levels, with 2 to 5, locally 10 cm of lying snow accumulating by Friday morning. Above 200 m some places could see 10-20 cm of snow accumulate, and on the highest routes and hills, 30 cm or more may build through this period. Given the strength of the wind some significant drifting of snow is likely. Lightning may well be an additional hazard.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Last updated
Reason: The likelihood of medium impacts from snow and ice has been increased
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Perth and Kinross
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
Wintry showers will become more widespread, bringing some disruption to travel.
What should I expect?
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
What should I do?
Further detail
Cold northerly winds will bring sleet and snow showers across much of Northern Ireland on Friday afternoon, overnight and into Saturday morning, bringing the likelihood of ice on untreated surfaces. Whilst many places, including most low-lying areas, will not see much in the way of snow accumulations, a cm or two is possible in places, with the potential for 2-5 cm on higher routes such as the Glenshane Pass.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey.
Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Fermanagh
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Frequent heavy snow showers, moving in from the coast, may bring disruption to travel on Friday night and Saturday.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers are expected to spread inland during Friday night and Saturday, becoming frequent and perhaps heavy at times. Around 1-3 cm of snow is likely to accumulate quite widely, with 5-8 cm possible in places, this most likely across the North York Moors. The snow showers will gradually become lighter and less frequent during Saturday evening, and move offshore overnight. Icy patches will also form, particularly during Saturday evening where roads have potentially been left wet from partially thawed snow during the daytime.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Last updated
Reason: Warning start time brought forward to Friday evening.
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands
- Lincolnshire
East of England
- Norfolk
North East England
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
Icy stretches will bring the possibility of some travel disruption.
What should I expect?
- Likely some icy stretches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
What should I do?
Further detail
Showers of rain, sleet and some snow, the latter mainly over higher ground, will affect parts of southwest England during Friday evening and overnight into Saturday morning. Where showers occur, icy stretches will develop on untreated surfaces.
Whilst many areas will see little accumulating snow, there is potential for a cm or two of snow over Bodmin Moor, the west of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
South West England
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Plymouth
- Somerset
Wintry showers are likely to bring some disruption to travel.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Showers will become increasingly wintry on Friday evening and overnight. Whilst many places will not see much in the way of snow accumulations, 1-3 cm is likely in some areas, especially over higher ground. Ice will be an additional hazard on untreated surfaces.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey.
Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Wales
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Frequent and heavy snow showers will bring further accumulations of snow and ice which may cause travel disruption and delays.
What should I expect?
- Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
- Some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers are expected to continue through the weekend, being brought well inland by strong northerly winds. Winds should ease somewhat into Sunday, with showers by then most prevalent around coasts. Snow showers should finally begin to ease during Monday morning. With temperatures inland likely remaining below freezing through the weekend, thaw of lying snow is not expected.
With respect to additional accumulations: through the weekend and into Monday morning, a further 2 to 5, locally 10-15 cm of lying snow is possible in low lying areas. 15-30 cm could potentially accumulate above 200 m, most likely for the northwest Highlands and Grampians. Given wind strengths Saturday some drifting of snow and temporary blizzard conditions are likely. Lightning will be an additional hazard near showers.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Last updated
Reason: Warning extended into Monday morning.
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Dundee
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- Inverclyde
- West Dunbartonshire
Snow and ice has the potential to cause disruption to travel in places throughout the weekend and into Monday morning.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers will continue to affect many parts of Northern Ireland over the weekend, before gradually easing on Monday. The heaviest and most frequent snow showers will be in the north, although along the north coast these may fall as rain or sleet at times. Whilst not all locations in the warning areas will see snow, around 1-3 cm is expected to have fallen in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5-10 cm to build up in a few locations, especially over higher routes, such as Glenshane Pass. Ice will be an additional hazard for many.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Snow and ice has the potential to cause disruption to travel in places from Sunday evening through to Monday morning.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers are expected to push further inland across Wales, parts of northwest England, the West Midlands and southwest England during Sunday evening. Along windward coasts, rain and sleet is more likely, but inland showers will fall as snow. Whilst not all locations in the warning areas will see snow, around 1-3 cm is expected to fall in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5-8 cm to build up in a few locations, particularly across inland and higher parts of Wales. Icy patches are likely to form widely.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands
- Derbyshire
North West England
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Greater Manchester
South West England
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Somerset
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Caerphilly
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
Snow and ice have the potential to cause disruption to travel in places on Monday, particularly during the morning.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers are expected to move inland from the North Sea in the early hours of Monday, becoming frequent and perhaps heavy at times, before easing by early afternoon. Around 1-3 cm of snow is likely to accumulate quite widely, with 5-8 cm possible in places, this most likely across the North York Moors. Icy patches are also likely to form.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
| Very
likely |
|
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands
- Lincolnshire
East of England
- Norfolk
North East England
- Durham
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire