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UK snow maps show 480-mile blizzard hitting after -14C freeze – 18 worst hit cities

admin January 18, 2026

A brutal spell of heavy snow and freezing Arctic weather is forecast to sweep into the UK within days.

lorry and car travelling on road in blizzard

Arctic air could trigger blizzard conditions across parts of the UK later this month. (Image: PA)

UK snow maps have revealed a huge 480-mile blizzard is set to hit Britain after temperatures plunge to a brutal -14C, with swathes of the country at risk of heavy snow and dangerous freezing conditions.

The latest weather maps from WXCharts suggest a vast band of snow could sweep south from Scotland through northern and central England, reaching parts of the Midlands and eastern regions as bitterly cold Arctic air tightens its grip. According to the maps, the wintry blast is expected to peak around January 31, with snow spreading rapidly overnight before intensifying through the morning and afternoon. Snowfall charts show persistent precipitation falling while temperatures remain well below freezing, increasing the risk of icy roads, drifting snow, and widespread travel disruption. Parts of central Scotland could see more than 20 inches of snowfall, while 1-2cm is forecast in areas from Newcastle to London. Several areas are forecast to remain sub-zero throughout the day, allowing snow to settle even at lower levels. Minimum temperature maps show parts of Scotland dipping as low as -13C to -14C just hours before the heavy snow hit.

UK snow map for January 31

WXCharts maps show snow sweeping south across the UK as Arctic air tightens its grip around January (Image: WXCharts )

UK temperature map for January 31

WXCharts temperature maps show parts of the UK plunging to as low as -14C (Image: WXCharts )

Much of northern England is shown falling below -6C, while central and eastern areas struggle to rise above freezing, creating ideal conditions for snow to accumulate in some areas. Rural and higher ground areas face the greatest risk of prolonged ice and hazardous conditions.

Upper air temperature charts show a large pool of Arctic air flooding across the UK from the north and east, helping to hold milder Atlantic systems at bay. This weather pattern is often linked with prolonged cold spells, rather than brief snow events, raising concerns that freezing conditions could linger.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast for January 22 until January 31 says: “Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to arrive from the west while high pressure and colder conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east.

“Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate for the majority of the country. Temperatures overall likely to be around average, though likely quickly becoming colder in the north east, after which there is an increased chance that conditions will turn more generally colder.

“This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain, but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.”

UK cold weather map showing temperatures on January 30