Yellow weather warnings have been issued as wintry conditions move south-eastwards across England and Wales.
Rail passengers have been warned not to travel as snow and ice disrupt transport across large parts of Britain.
ScotRail advised customers to postpone journeys after severe winter conditions halted services in parts of the Scottish Highlands. The operator said trains could not run in areas including Georgemas and Thurso, adding that replacement buses could not be sourced because of hazardous road conditions.
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in force across much of England, including London, the South East, South West, West Midlands and North West, while amber warnings remain in place for northern Scotland until midday on Saturday.
Snowfall has already been significant in parts of Scotland, with more than 8cm recorded at Loch Glascarnoch and around 9cm in Aboyne. Forecasters warned that accumulations could reach up to 20cm at lower levels and as much as 40cm on higher ground.
Wintry weather has pushed south-east across England and Wales, bringing snowfall to counties including Surrey, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain below freezing in some areas, with overnight lows dropping into double digits below zero.
The Met Office said Arctic air and brisk northerly winds would keep conditions bitterly cold through the weekend and into next week, with further warnings possible. Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks warned of continued snow showers, icy roads and slippery surfaces, urging people to plan ahead and stay weather-aware.
Police Scotland echoed the advice, urging motorists to consider whether journeys were necessary and to avoid closed roads.
The cold snap is also placing pressure on health services. The UK Health Security Agency issued alerts until January 6, warning of increased risks to older people and those with existing health conditions, including heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illness.
NHS England reported high demand over the festive period, with more than 87,000 NHS 111 calls answered on December 27, the second-busiest day in two years. However, hospital admissions for flu fell for a second consecutive week.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the “bitingly cold snap” would add strain to the NHS, urging eligible people to get vaccinated and to use emergency services appropriately.
With freezing conditions set to persist, authorities continue to warn of travel disruption, health risks and dangerous driving conditions as 2026 begins.
