A severe Arctic blast has triggered a major weather crisis across the UK, with the Met Office issuing a rare Amber weather warning for snow and blizzards, explicitly warning of a potential 'danger to life'.
Widespread Disruption and School Closures
The most severe conditions are focused on northern and northeast Scotland, including the Highlands, Grampian, and north Angus. The Amber warning is active from 11am until 7pm on Tuesday, January 6. Forecasters predict an additional 5–10cm of snow at lower levels and up to 15cm on higher ground, raising the serious risk of communities becoming completely cut off and power supplies failing.
The disruption to daily life is already severe. More than 180 schools are closed across the country, with the majority of closures in Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Some schools in Wales and southern England have also shut their doors.
Transport Network in Turmoil
Travel advice has been escalated to emergency levels. Police Scotland and local authorities in Wales have issued stark "do not travel" or "travel with extreme caution" warnings. Key routes, including the A939 at Tomintoul and Cock Bridge, are closed after snow gates were shut.
National Rail has confirmed that services in northern Scotland will be disrupted all day. Transport for Wales is reporting significant delays and cancellations due to ice affecting track equipment. Air travel is also heavily impacted, with Aberdeen and Inverness airports facing ongoing delays and cancellations.
Complex Weather System and Health Alert
The extreme conditions are being driven by a complex clash of weather systems, where a low-pressure front from the Atlantic is colliding with the existing Arctic air. While the far south sees rain, this battle is generating heavy snow over central England and Wales. The West Midlands is under a Yellow warning for snow and ice, with hazardous driving conditions expected.
Temperatures plunged overnight, reaching as low as -12°C in areas with lying snow. The UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) Amber Cold Health Alert remains in force for all of England until Friday, January 9. This alert highlights the significant added pressure on the NHS and the heightened risk to vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly.
