New Year whiteout as Met Office warns of 10inch snow, 75mph gales and power cuts

Driving in sleet and snow

Met Office weather warnings for January 2 (Image: Getty)

A could be on the cards as the Met Office warns of severe disruption from over the coming days.

Warnings are in place from today, Monday, December 30 until Thursday, January 2 with the most significant impacts expected on Wednesday, January 1.

Up to 25cm of snow is expected to fall over higher ground on Wednesday, particularly in areas like the Peak District, Lake District, and North York Moors.

Strong Arctic winds are forecast to cause significant drifting, with snow potentially reaching as far south as Derbyshire.

“Heavy and persistent snow may bring disruption on Wednesday and Wednesday night,” the warned.

Snow depth map

Up to 25cm of snow is expected to fall over some parts (Image: WX Chart)

Northern England, Scotland and parts of Yorkshire and Humber are bracing for widespread snow, with warnings set to last until 3 am Thursday.

Elsewhere, New Year’s Day is likely to see up to 80mm of rain in regions including Wales, where communities are still recovering from last month’s deluge caused by Storm Bert.

With saturated ground and swollen rivers, the potential for further flooding remains high.

Strong winds are also expected to sweep across the country, with gusts of 65 to 75mph forecast around coastal areas and hills. Inland gusts could reach 50 to 60mph.

The westerly winds are likely to peak on New Year’s Day, posing risks of flying debris, large waves and damage to coastal infrastructure.

Don’t miss… [WEATHER] [MAP]

Weather map

Minimum temperatures across the UK on January 1 (Image: WX Chart)

The has warned of a “small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur” due to the hazardous conditions.

The severe weather is expected to cause significant travel disruption. Road, rail, air, and ferry services could face delays or cancellations, while some coastal routes may be affected by large waves and spray.

Fog is already impacting flights, particularly at , which is experiencing temporary air restrictions due to low visibility. Passengers are urged to check with airlines for the latest updates.

A spokesperson for Nats, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, said: “Our teams are working closely with airports and airlines to minimise disruption.”

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