London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jan 23, 2026

UK Weather: Sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall wreak chaos

The UK is experiencing severe cold with temperatures plummeting to -12.5C in parts of Scotland, marking the coldest point since the previous winter. Snow accumulation up to 30cm has led to significant travel disruptions.
Scotland encountered the chilliest conditions last Saturday night, as reported by the Met Office. Weather alerts are in effect for snow and ice across various regions including northwest England, the Midlands, southern areas, Wales, and Scotland.

Cumbria residents have faced extreme travel delays, with drivers enduring up to 19 hours in traffic without basic supplies. After heavy snow on Saturday, Cumbria declared a major incident and advised against unnecessary travel. Power outages have also affected some residences.

Stranded motorists sought refuge overnight in temporary shelters and vehicles. Emma Thompson, an Ulverston resident, ended up spending the night in a scout hut after a local fair. The next day, snow still obscured her car.

Likewise, Ant Brett's journey to a wedding in Cumbria turned into a 19-hour ordeal. Stuck on the A595, he expressed concern over the lack of assistance for those without adequate food or water.

Emergency services worked tirelessly to free trapped vehicles and aid those in need, utilizing 4X4s and supporting reception centers.

Paul Smith's travel to Ambleside was hampered by road blockages and stop-and-go traffic. Meanwhile, Cumbria Constabulary reported multiple road issues, notably on the M6 and A595. The police faced verbal abuse despite efforts to manage the unexpected severity of the snowfall.

National Highways also coped with numerous stranded vehicles, primarily along the M6's affected junctions.

Further weather cautions for ice're in place for northern England, the Midlands, and Wales, extending from Sunday evening to Monday night. Eastern Scotland also has a snow and ice warning. Southern England, south Wales, and the southwest Midlands are under a yellow alert for rain.

An amber health warning is active until December 5th for parts of central and northern England, with another alert for additional regions. Authorities anticipate widespread health service impact and advise public caution.

In Europe, the weekend snowstorm has led to travel cancellations and delays in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, where up to 40cm of snow was expected.
#ANT 
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Reverses Course and Criticises UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Agreement
Elizabeth Hurley Tells UK Court of ‘Brutal’ Invasion of Privacy in Phone Hacking Case
UK Bond Yields Climb as Report Fuels Speculation Over Andy Burnham’s Return to Parliament
America’s Venezuela Oil Grip Meets China’s Demand: Market Power, Legal Shockwaves, and the New Rules of Energy Leverage
TikTok’s U.S. Escape Plan: National Security Firewall or Political Theater With a Price Tag?
Trump’s Board of Peace: Breakthrough Diplomacy or a Hostile Takeover of Global Order?
Trump’s Board of Peace: Breakthrough Diplomacy or a Hostile Takeover of Global Order?
The Greenland Gambit: Economic Genius or Political Farce?
The Greenland Gambit: Economic Genius or Political Farce?
The Greenland Gambit: Economic Genius or Political Farce?
Will AI Finally Make Blue-Collar Workers Rich—or Is This Just Elite Tech Spin?
Prince William to Make Official Visit to Saudi Arabia in February
Prince Harry Breaks Down in London Court, Says UK Tabloids Have Made Meghan Markle’s Life ‘Absolute Misery’
Malin + Goetz UK Business Enters Administration, All Stores Close
EU and UK Reject Trump’s Greenland-Linked Tariff Threats and Pledge Unified Response
UK Deepfake Crackdown Puts Intense Pressure on Musk’s Grok AI After Surge in Non-Consensual Explicit Images
Prince Harry Becomes Emotional in London Court, Invokes Memory of Princess Diana in Testimony Against UK Tabloids
UK Inflation Rises Unexpectedly but Interest Rate Cuts Still Seen as Likely
AI vs Work: The Battle Over Who Controls the Future of Labor
Buying an Ally’s Territory: Strategic Genius or Geopolitical Breakdown?
AI Everywhere: Power, Money, War, and the Race to Control the Future
Trump vs the World Order: Disruption Genius or Global Arsonist?
Trump vs the World Order: Disruption Genius or Global Arsonist?
Trump vs the World Order: Disruption Genius or Global Arsonist?
Trump vs the World Order: Disruption Genius or Global Arsonist?
Arctic Power Grab: Security Chessboard or Climate Crime Scene?
Starmer Steps Back from Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Amid Strained US–UK Relations
Prince Harry’s Lawyer Tells UK Court Daily Mail Was Complicit in Unlawful Privacy Invasions
UK Government Approves China’s ‘Mega Embassy’ in London Amid Debate Over Security and Diplomacy
Trump Cites UK’s Chagos Islands Sovereignty Shift as Justification for Pursuing Greenland Acquisition
UK Government Weighs Australia-Style Social Media Ban for Under-Sixteens Amid Rising Concern Over Online Harm
Trump Aides Say U.S. Has Discussed Offering Asylum to British Jews Amid Growing Antisemitism Concerns
UK Seeks Diplomatic De-escalation with Trump Over Greenland Tariff Threat
Prince Harry Returns to London as High Court Trial Begins Over Alleged Illegal Tabloid Snooping
High-Speed Train Collision in Southern Spain Kills at Least Twenty-One and Injures Scores
Meghan Markle May Return to the U.K. This Summer as Security Review Advances
Trump’s Greenland Tariff Threat Sparks EU Response and Risks Deep Transatlantic Rift
Prince Harry’s High Court Battle With Daily Mail Publisher Begins in London
Trump’s Tariff Escalation Presents Complex Challenges for the UK Economy
UK Prime Minister Starmer Rebukes Trump’s Greenland Tariff Strategy as Transatlantic Tensions Rise
Prince Harry’s Last Press Case in UK Court Signals Potential Turning Point in Media and Royal Relations
OpenAI to Begin Advertising in ChatGPT in Strategic Shift to New Revenue Model
GDP Growth Remains the Most Telling Barometer of Britain’s Economic Health
Prince William and Kate Middleton Stay Away as Prince Harry Visits London Amid Lingering Rift
Britain Braces for Colder Weather and Snow Risk as Temperatures Set to Plunge
Mass Protests Erupt as UK Nears Decision on China’s ‘Mega Embassy’ in London
Prince Harry to Return to UK to Testify in High-Profile Media Trial Against Associated Newspapers
Keir Starmer Rejects Trump’s Greenland Tariff Threat as ‘Completely Wrong’
Trump to hit Europe with 10% tariffs until Greenland deal is agreed
Prince Harry Returns to UK High Court as Final Privacy Trial Against Daily Mail Publisher Begins
×