Multiple snow and ice warnings issued ahead of a cold week

The Met Office issued multiple Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for ice and snow affecting parts of Scotland and northern England from Monday to Thursday, it announced on 17 November 2025¹. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold health alert for the North West of England, North East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, with a yellow warning in place for other areas, meaning impacts are probable across the health and social care sector¹.

Arctic air moved southwards on Monday, with a frontal system bringing a mix of rain, sleet and snow across Scotland overnight and into Tuesday¹. Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen said a period of snow was likely over high ground, with accumulations of 2-5 cm possible above about 150 metres and as much as 5-10 cm above 400 metres, which could bring some disruption to travel and infrastructure across higher parts of Scotland¹. By Wednesday the whole of the UK was under the colder Arctic airmass, with a strong and very cold northerly flow¹. Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said overnight temperatures could get down to minus ten, with a significant wind chill¹. Snow accumulations of 2-5 cm were possible in some low-lying areas in the north and east, 5-10 cm on hills in parts of Northern Ireland, the northeast of England and Scotland, and 15-20 cm above 300 metres in parts of northeastern England and Scotland¹.

On 18 November the Met Office issued an Amber warning for snow, with a number of other warnings also in force². Significant accumulations were possible over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds, with the amber warning in force for much of Thursday; its start time was brought forward to 0300 on Thursday, valid to 2100². Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said 15-20 cm could accumulate on higher ground in Scotland, and potentially as much as 15-25 cm over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds². He said temperatures could get as low as -10°C in rural parts of Scotland on Thursday night, with daytime temperatures generally in low single figures for many². The Independent reported a forecast low of -11C in rural parts of Scotland on Thursday night, a figure that differs from the Met Office's -10°C².

The Met Office set out the position on 19 November:

The Independent reported that travel delays on roads were expected, bus and train services could face cancellations, and power cuts were likely³. National Rail warned that poor weather may impact journeys in England, Wales and Scotland until the end of the day on Thursday, and advised all passengers to check their journey in full before travel and allow more time on any of the affected days³. Calmac ferry services were affected, with some cancellations and delays across routes on the west coast and Western Isles, and snow ploughs cleared the A82 and A9³.

Why it matters for households

The warnings cover travel, power and health. The Met Office advises people to keep up to date with the forecast, because updates to the warnings are possible with sub-zero temperatures in the first cold snap of the year¹. It advises checking wipers, tyres and screen wash before driving, packing warm clothing, food, drink, a blanket and a torch, and taking a fully charged mobile phone and an in-car charger⁴. It advises avoiding driving in icy conditions if possible, and otherwise looking well ahead for hazards, keeping speed down and steering into skids⁴. For walking, it advises leaving five minutes earlier than usual, using pavements along main roads and wearing footwear with good grip⁴.

On power cuts, the Met Office advises having candles, matches, torches, batteries and a mobile phone power pack ready, switching off appliances that should not be left unattended, leaving a light on so you know when power is restored, and checking on neighbours; it notes that 105 is a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales⁴. It advises never using a hob or oven to heat a home, as this can increase carbon monoxide levels, and opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate to prevent frozen pipes⁴. The British Red Cross Support Line is given as 0808 196 3651 for those needing support⁴.

Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said older people might find it increasingly difficult to get out and about safely, and urged everyone to check in on older family, friends and neighbours during periods of extreme weather, with small gestures such as clearing and salting paths or offering to collect essentials making a huge difference¹. She said Age Scotland's free 0800 12 44 222 helpline can offer advice and support on paying energy bills, accessing energy efficiency schemes and ensuring people are not missing out on vital social security benefits¹. Dr Ron Cook, NHS 24 Executive Medical Director, said cold weather can be particularly challenging for older people, young children and those with long-term health conditions, and that cold air can make breathing difficult for people with asthma or COPD, with medication kept handy and time outdoors limited during severe cold spells².

What happens next

The Met Office said things will be drier for many by Friday, with temperatures gradually turning milder and rain reaching the west later in the day². There are signals for fronts of rain to cross from west to east on Saturday, with potentially further wet and windy weather for many on Sunday². Updates to warnings are possible in the coming days². The Met Office's weather warnings guide explains the yellow, amber and red levels, and its cold health alerts guide sets out what the UKHSA alert levels mean. Households can read more on storms, snow and ice, on signing up for Met Office alerts, on council help in severe weather and on staying well in cold weather.