The Met Office has upgraded weather warnings for part of the UK as 2026 gets off to a bitterly cold start. Yellow alerts for snow and ice were put in force yesterday as forecasters warned frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption to begin this year.
This has been upgraded to a more severe amber alert in parts of northern and north-east Scotland, with frequent and prolonged snow showers expected between noon on Friday until noon on Saturday. Liverpool narrowly misses out on the yellow alert, but the warning covers nearby parts of the North West such as Warrington and Chester.
This yellow alert comes into force at midnight and is in place until 12pm on January 2. Forecasters warned snow and ice could cause some travel disruption.
The Met Office said: “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.
“Likely some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.”
While Liverpool misses out on the snow and ice warning, it is still expected to be a cold start to the year. Temperatures will hover between 5C – 7C on the first day of the year.
The Met Office forecast for the North West said: “A very cold and frosty start to the new year. A band of showery rain in the south will clear leaving a dry and bright New Year’s morning. Northern areas remaining dry during the afternoon, but a few showers developing across the south.
“Feeling cold in the gusty wind. Maximum temperature 6C.” Temperatures will drop below zero in parts of the North West tonight as the Met Office added: “Further wintry showers moving into southern areas overnight, leading to a risk of ice and perhaps some slight accumulations of snow.
“Staying dry and clear elsewhere with a widespread frost. Minimum temperature -3C.”
The outlook for tomorrow is similar as the Met Office said: “A largely dry, sunny but cold day with just a few wintry showers moving into the far south at times. Another very frosty night following. Maximum temperature 4C.”
Across the weekend it is expected to remain cold and dry, as the Met Office continued: “A cold but largely dry weekend with plenty of sunshine by day and frost by night. A few wintry showers possible, mainly in the south. Remaining similar on Monday.”
For the latest weather news visit https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/weather
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