Uk Snow Forecast: Warnings as Cold Snap Brings Snow, Rain and Travel Risks

Forecasters have issued multiple yellow warnings for snow, heavy rain and ice across parts of the UK as a cold snap continues, raising the risk of travel disruption and flooding. The uk snow forecast now points to hill snow accumulations and heavy rain in southern counties, with travel and infrastructure impacts possible over the next 24–48 hours.

Uk Snow Forecast: Warnings in Force

Yellow warnings have been put in place across Northern Ireland, southern England, parts of Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines. A rain-and-snow warning came into force across Northern Ireland early on Wednesday morning, while a separate warning for heavy rain covers southern counties. A further yellow warning for snow is due to begin later for parts of Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines, and an ice warning for Wales will take effect in the evening. A health agency has issued a cold weather alert covering most of England until 1: 00 PM ET on Friday.

uk snow forecast: Travel and flood risks

Travel disruption is possible, with a small chance of stranded vehicles, delays to trains and flights, and some rural communities becoming cut off in the worst-affected areas of Wales. People in higher ground in mid and southeast Wales could see substantial accumulations; several centimetres are expected above around 150–200 metres, with up to 15 cm possible over the highest ground of mid and south‑east Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines. In Wales specifically, some areas could see up to 20 cm of snow, and an ice warning covers the same general area through the early hours of Thursday.

Heavy rain will be an additional hazard in southern England, where many areas are expected to see 10–20 mm, with 20–30 mm possible along the south coast and up to 50 mm across Dartmoor. In the wettest locations, 30–50 mm of rain could fall, increasing the risk of localized flooding and compounding existing saturation in parts of the country. Low-level precipitation is more likely to be a mixture of rain and sleet, with occasional wet snow at times.

Strong winds will add to the impacts. Gusts in exposed areas may reach 45–55 mph, and strong east to northeasterly winds could produce large waves along some east-facing coasts, increasing the hazard for travel and coastal routes. Power cuts and mobile service disruption are a small possibility where heavy snow and strong winds coincide.

Rain, wind then turning milder

The unsettled system is expected to clear through Thursday, with most areas turning drier as the band of rain and snow moves away. Northern Ireland and western Scotland will see cloud and rain increasing by Thursday afternoon, and with temperatures still below average further ice warnings overnight remain possible. Into the weekend the outlook stays unsettled, with further bands of rain interspersed with brighter intervals, and increasingly mild Atlantic air could push temperatures up, bringing the potential for exceptionally mild readings in sheltered places later on.

Key takeaways

• Yellow warnings for snow, rain and ice remain in force across several UK regions; some warnings run into early Thursday (converted local time shown in ET).
• Hill snow accumulations likely above 150–200 m; up to 10–20+ cm in parts of Wales and nearby higher ground.
• Heavy rain totals of 10–50 mm depending on location, with flooding a concern in the wettest spots.

Uncertainties remain in the precise placement and timing of the heaviest snow and rain, so those in affected areas should monitor hour-by-hour forecasts and local travel advice as the situation evolves.