A powerful snow bomb is poised to hit the UK, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -12°C and the entire country bracing for widespread snowfall. Starting from 6am on January 7, a massive polar vortex will sweep through, causing a significant downturn in weather conditions across England and Scotland.
Weather models from WX Charts, utilizing the ECMWF system, predict temperatures dropping sharply, particularly in central and eastern Scotland where lows could reach -12°C. Snow depth maps valid for 6pm on January 7 indicate northern Scotland could see snow accumulations ranging from 20cm to 30cm (approximately 11.8 inches).
Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, explained: “The northeast will probably get between one to five inches of snow, but further south the impact is less certain. These sporadic weather events can deliver heavy snowfall unexpectedly, even to areas like the Isle of Wight or Penzance.”
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He added, “Once the airstream is in place, even a small heavy snow shower can quickly blanket an area in snow. This is definitely a watch-and-wait situation.”
Dale further warned that this cold snap marks a return to true winter conditions as the UK enters 2026. “Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold to very cold conditions across the UK. Expect widespread frosts, some severe, and the first snow of the season for many regions.”
This cold spell is expected to persist throughout the first week of January, making it essential for the public to stay informed with the latest weather updates and warnings.