Snowfall Weather Forecast: Warnings for Snow, Heavy Rain and Travel Disruption Across the UK

The Snowfall Weather Forecast shows yellow warnings for rain, snow and ice in force across large parts of the UK, with travel disruption, flooding and possible power cuts the main immediate concerns. Forecasters say a mix of heavy rain, sleet and hill snow will move through from the south and west and bring unsettled conditions into Thursday.

Warnings, timing and headline impacts

Yellow weather warnings are active across Northern Ireland, parts of southern and central England, Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines. A yellow warning for rain and snow came into force across Northern Ireland early on Wednesday morning, while a yellow warning for rain covers southern parts of England. Another yellow warning for snow was due to begin later across parts of Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines, and an ice warning for Wales kicks in during the evening.

Some warnings remain in place into Thursday morning, and a cold-weather alert covering most of England runs until 18: 00 GMT on Friday. Snow is expected in some areas until 06: 00 GMT on Thursday, and an ice warning in the same Welsh area is in effect until 10: 00 on Thursday.

Snowfall Weather Forecast: where accumulations are expected

Several centimetres of snow are expected to accumulate over high ground, with estimates varying by elevation and location. Forecast guidance includes snowfall of 2–5 cm likely above about 150–200 metres, with 10–15 cm possible above 250–300 metres across mid and southeast Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines. Separate guidance mentions up to 15 cm over the highest ground of mid and south-east Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines, and another assessment suggests people living on higher ground in mid and southeast Wales could see up to 20 cm (8 in). At low levels a mix of rain and sleet is more likely, with the possibility of a little wet snow at times.

Rain, river flood risk and coastal hazards

Cloud amounts are increasing from the south and west, with rain pushing into parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and southern England and turning to snow over some hills. In the wettest locations in southern England, 30–50 mm of rain could fall, and 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. The heavier rain threatens to worsen flooding issues that have affected many areas during the first part of 2026.

Strong east to northeasterly winds will accompany the rain in southern England, and large waves may affect some east-facing coasts, particularly along the English Channel. Gusts of 45–55 mph have been highlighted as an additional hazard in some areas.

Regional details: Northern Ireland, Wales and uplands

Northern Ireland will see a mix of wet and wintry weather throughout Wednesday, with persistent rain at low levels and snow over high ground, especially the Sperrins. Several centimetres could accumulate above 250 metres in parts of Northern Ireland, and any lying snow should thaw during the evening and overnight. Parts of Wales, central England and the southern Pennines are under yellow warnings for snow as the rain band moves in on Wednesday.

In Wales a yellow warning affects 18 counties and extends to higher ground where travel disruption, power cuts and the chance of some rural villages becoming cut off are possible. The warning for snow in Wales is in place until 06: 00 GMT on Thursday, and an ice warning in the same area runs until 10: 00 on Thursday. The counties named in the warning are Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham.

Travel, infrastructure and transport oddities

Travellers should expect a small chance of delays on roads due to stranded vehicles and disruption to train and flight schedules. There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off, and forecasters have highlighted a small chance of cuts to power and mobile service alongside strong winds.

Separately, footage circulated showing Sam Dudley, who was listening to music, appearing shocked at the sight of a train. Trains now stop at Northumberland Park after running through the station for more than a year. An airline has warned of major disruption after fog left aircraft elsewhere in the wrong place, and an airport described a change as a faster, more convenient option in line with other airport charges. Part of the line between Ashford and Borough Green had to close in 2021 after a landslip. The wider text accompanying those items included a 2026 copyright notice and a statement distancing responsibility for external content and referencing an approach to external linking.

Outlook and what to watch next

Frontal systems will continue to bring rain and snow into Thursday, with strong winds through the period. As the system clears on Thursday most areas are expected to turn drier, though cloud and rain will increase into the afternoon in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Temperatures are likely to remain below average for the time of year through the immediate period with a risk of further ice overnight, but an Atlantic surge later in the period could bring increasingly mild air, with a potential for highs of up to 16°C in sheltered places before conditions drift closer to average.

Forecast uncertainty remains for timing, exact accumulations and local impacts; forecasters advise keeping up to date with hour-by-hour details from official weather services for the latest warnings and travel guidance.