UK Faces Snow and Cold Weather Alerts Over New Year Amid NHS Pressure
Snow is expected across much of the UK with near-freezing temperatures on New Year's Eve, accompanied by yellow warnings for snow in northern Scotland and extending into Friday for Northern Ireland, Wales, the north-west, West Midlands, London, and much of south-east England. Around 10 cm of snow is expected by Friday morning, with up to 30 cm on the highest roads and hills. While most of the UK is forecast to remain dry with clear skies, facilitating good fireworks viewing, temperatures will remain chilly. Midnight temperatures in London are expected to be around 1–2°C with mostly clear skies; Cardiff will be dry with more cloud and 2–3°C. Northern areas will be cloudier but fireworks should still be visible. Patches of freezing fog are anticipated in west and north-west England, with travel cautions advised for New Year's Day morning. As 2026 begins, temperatures are expected to drop further with snow and gale-force winds in northern England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold weather alerts for the northeast and northwest of England, valid until noon on 5 January, with similar alerts covering every region of England from 8pm on 31 December 2025 to 10am on 6 January 2026. These alerts highlight potential significant impacts on health and social care, particularly among vulnerable groups, and warn of increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.
The NHS is currently under extraordinary pressure, with 95% bed occupancy, and officials caution that hospitals are not yet out of danger despite some improving signs as temperatures fall. Recent figures show flu hospital admissions averaged 3,061 per day in the week ending 21 December, slightly down from the previous week, with 117 flu patients in critical care beds and an average of 285 daily hospital beds occupied by patients with diarrhoea, vomiting, or norovirus-like symptoms. NHS England's medical director, Meghana Pandit, emphasized the ongoing pressure on the health service with the expected drop in temperatures, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting noted that hospitals remain challenged by flu cases. UKHSA health protection consultant Dr Paul Coleman urged the public to check on vulnerable people during the very cold conditions anticipated across England.
Despite last year's cancellation due to high winds, Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations are expected to proceed with caution given the weather warnings. Transport disruptions are anticipated across affected regions, and residents are advised to allow extra travel time during this period.
