England, Scotland, and Wales are bracing for a tumultuous weekend as the Met Office issues a three-day heavy snow warning. The aftermath of torrential New Year’s Day rain, which caused flooded properties, travel disruptions, and power outages across parts of the UK, could be compounded by plummeting temperatures and significant snowfall.
The Met Office cautions that temperatures could drop well below freezing over the weekend, with up to 30cm (1ft) of snow across England, Scotland, and Wales. This wintry blast could lead to rural areas being cut off, school closures, and disruptions to road, rail, and air travel.
Miserable New Year’s Start
The snow warning comes on the heels of a dismal start to 2025 for many regions of the UK. Greater Manchester declared a major incident at midday due to flooding caused by heavy overnight rainfall. Firefighters, assisted by mountain rescue teams, worked to rescue people trapped in flooded properties and stranded vehicles.
In Stockport, about 400 residents of a converted mill were set to be evacuated after the car park and ground floor were nearly submerged. Helen Scott, a top floor resident, described the situation to the BBC: “Can’t get in, can’t get out, the fire brigade are here.”
The fact I’ve still got a couple of proseccos still in me has taken the edge of this situation. Give me a couple of hours and I think the horror of the start of 2025 is going to sink in.
Helen Scott, Stockport resident
Widespread Flooding and Travel Disruptions
Flooding was reported in other parts of the north-west, including Clitheroe, Ormskirk, and Ribchester in Lancashire. Rivers ran high, but levels began to fall when the rain largely stopped around 9am. In the Peak District, the River Goyt was visibly swollen at Whaley Bridge but remained half a metre lower than during a 2019 major incident that triggered evacuations.
Strong winds led to the cancellation of several New Year’s Day events across England, including charity dips. At Heathrow Airport, gusty conditions forced authorities to reduce the arrival rate, resulting in 36 cancelled flights. London’s annual New Year’s Day parade proceeded, albeit delayed by 30 minutes and without its signature inflatable cartoon characters.
Looming Snow and Ice Threat
As the rain subsides, the threat of snow and ice emerges. The Met Office’s yellow snow warning, in effect from midday Saturday until 9am Monday, covers an area from Edinburgh to the south coast, with only some coastal fringes and southwest England excluded.
- 5cm of snow expected widely across Midlands, Wales and northern England
- 20-30cm possible over high ground in Wales and Pennines
- Snow may quickly turn to rain in southern England
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan advises those with weekend travel plans to stay tuned to the forecast, as the warning is likely to be frequently updated. An additional yellow ice warning is in place for Scotland, north Wales, and northern England from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning.
As the UK grapples with the aftermath of heavy rains and braces for potentially disruptive snow and ice, residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed warnings from local authorities and the Met Office. The tumultuous start to 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature.
