Snow and ice sweeps through the UK forcing schools to close and flights cancelled
Days of disruption to travel and public services are expected as a wintry blast sets in across most of the UK.
Weather warnings for snow and ice are now in place everywhere except the South-East, Cumbria, the westernmost parts of Yorkshire and southern Scotland.
Hundreds of schools have been closed, mainly in Wales and Scotland, where drifting snow and ice has left travel virtually impossible in northern areas.
Meanwhile passengers have been left stranded at airports in Manchester, Liverpool, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Five flights from Manchester Airport were cancelled due to wintry conditions at their destinations (Belfast, Aberdeen and the Netherlands).
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At least four flights from Liverpool Airport were axed and numerous others delayed for up to four hours after its only runway had to be closed while staff cleared snow and ice.
Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports following heavy snowfall.
ScotRail has warned passengers to expect heavy disruption between Aberdeen and Inverness.
The Met Office is forecasting further and ‘frequent’ spells of ‘heavy’ snow in parts of Scotland, covering Aberdeen, Aviemore in the Cairngorms, and Ullapool, Ross-shire.
Higher areas are expected to see up to 20-30cm of snow, while low levels may have 5-10cm of snow.
Amber alerts in those areas will remain in place until 10am on Monday as the forecaster has warned of ‘more frequent’ flurries.
Much of Scotland will also be under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice, covering the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebridean Islands.
The snow was 14cm-deep in parts of Aberdeenshire on Sunday, according social media users.
While Shetland Isles Council and all schools and nurseries run by Aberdeenshire Council are closed on Monday as a result of the snow.
Schools and Early Learning Care (ELC) provisions in Aberdeen will not open until 11am on Monday and breakfast clubs have been cancelled, the Aberdeen City Council said.
They said: ‘Further updates for each school will be provided by head teachers tomorrow morning once they have assessed individual local circumstances.’
Shetland Isles Council shared in a Facebook post: ‘With the current wintry weather conditions, and the Met Office Amber Weather warning for more snow overnight, ALL SCHOOLS in Shetland will be CLOSED tomorrow – Mon 5th January.’
The Met Office has warned that the heavy snow and freezing temperatures could put rural communities at risk of being cut off, while mobile phone coverage may be impacted by the weather.
It also warned of travel disruption to road, rail and air as public transport services may be cancelled.
A Met Office spokesperson said: ‘Heavy snow showers will become more frequent and may merge to give longer spells of snow at times.
‘The areas and period covered by this warning are when the heaviest and most disruptive snow is thought most likely during the current cold spell, with existing yellow warnings covering a wider area and a longer period.’
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for Wales, Greater Manchester and parts of south-west England, and a yellow alert for ice covers much of the east coast.
Scotland appears to be the worst hit, as local police have urged members of the public to avoid travelling in snowy conditions.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: ‘The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice mean driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas.
‘Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.’
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘Flight delays or cancellations due to snow can be extremely frustrating, but airlines still have a duty of care to passengers, and must provide clear information about their rights to assistance or a refund.
‘If you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or due to depart from a UK or EU airport with any carrier, you’ll be entitled to food and drink during delays of over two hours for short-haul flights, three hours for medium-haul and four hours for long-haul. If you are stuck overnight, you are entitled to accommodation too.
‘If your flight is cancelled, you also have the choice of being refunded or rerouted on the next available flight. If you choose the latter, then your airline must get you to your destination as soon as possible – including with a rival carrier, if necessary.’
Which schools are closed today?
You can find out if your school is closed on your local council website or by contacting your school directly. We’ve gathered a list of schools that confirmed last night they won’t be opening today.
England
Hampshire
Ashley Infant School in the New Forest – Closed until January 8th due to a water leak
Staffordshire
- Tillington Manor Primary School, Stafford
- Manor Primary Academy
- Christ Church Primary School
Scotland
Aberdeenshire Council
- Aboyne Academy: Closed
- Alford Academy: Closed
- Arduthie School: Closed
- Auchenblae School: Closed
- Ballogie Nursery: Closed
- Ballater School: Closed
- Balmedie School: Closed
- Banchory Primary School: Closed
- Barthol Chapel School: Closed
- Banchory-Devenick School: Closed
- Bracoden School: Closed
- Buchanhaven Primary School: Closed
- Carronhill School: Closed
- Catterline School: Closed
- Craigievar School: Closed
- Crathes School: Closed
- Crombie School: Closed
- Cultercullen School: Closed
- Dales Park School: Closed
- Daviot School: Closed
- Drumoak School: Closed
- Dunnottar School: Closed
- Drumblade School: Closed
- Echt School: Closed
- Ellon Primary School: Closed
- Elrick School: Closed
- Finzean School: Closed
- Fordyce School: Closed
- Hill of Banchory School: Closed
- Hillside School: Closed
- Insch School: Closed
- Gordan Schools: Closed
- Johnshaven School: Closed
- Keithhall School: Closed
- Kemnay School: Closed
- Kennethmont School: Closed
- Lairhillock School: Closed
- Laurencekirk School: Closed
- Mearns Academy: Closed
- Meldrum Academy: Closed
- Methlick School: Closed
- Monymusk School: Closed
- Newburgh Mathers School: Closed
- Newtonhill School: Closed
- Ordiquhill School: Closed
- Peterhead Academy: Closed
- Pitmedden School: Closed
- Port Erroll School: Closed
- Portlethen School: Closed
- Rathen School: Closed
- Rhynie School: Closed
- Sandhaven School: Closed
- Skene School: Closed
- St Andrew’s School, Inverurie: Closed
- St Fergus School: Closed
- Strathburn School: Closed
- Strathdon School: Closed
- Tarland School: Closed
- Tarves School: Closed
- Tough School: Closed
- Turriff Primary School: Closed
- Tyrie School: Closed
- Uryside School: Closed
- Westhill Academy: Closed
- Westhill Primary School: Closed
- Whitehills School: Closed
East Ayshire
Barony Campus
All schools on Barony Campus will be closed due to heating failure. This now includes Lochnorris PS and ELC, Cherry Trees and Hillside School.
Robert Burns Academy and RBA SLC will also be closed on Monday 5 January 2026 due to flooding. All other establishments on Campus will open as normal.
Shetland Council
- Aith Junior High School: Closed
- Anderson High School: Closed
- Baltasound Junior High School: Closed
- Brae High School: Closed
- Bell’s Brae Primary School: Closed
- Burravoe Primary School: Closed
- Cullivoe Primary School: Closed
- Cunningsburgh Primary School: Closed
- Dunrossness Primary School: Closed
- Fair Isle Primary School: Closed
- Foula Primary School: Closed
- Hamnavoe Primary School: Closed
- Happyhansel Primary School: Closed
- Lunnasting Primary School: Closed
- Mid Yell Junior High School: Closed
- Mossbank Primary School: Closed
- Nesting Primary School: Closed
- North Roe Primary School: Closed
- Ollaberry Primary School: Closed
- Sandness Primary School: Closed
- Sandwick Junior High School: Closed
- Scalloway Primary School: Closed
- Sound Primary School: Closed
- Tingwall Primary School: Closed
- Urafirth Primary School: Closed
- Whalsay School: Closed
- Whiteness Primary School: Closed
Wales
Carmarthenshire
- Ammanford Nursery: School will be closed due to the weather conditions.
- Ysgol Blaenau: School will be closed due to the weather conditions.
- Ysgol Bro Banw: School will be closed due to the weather conditions.
- Llanedi School: Ysgol Llanedi will be closed on 05/01/2026.
- Ysgol Llangadog School: The school car park is currently covered in snow, with more snow forecast overnight and freezing conditions this will become treacherous. Staff have informed me of the difficulties in getting to work as they live in secluded areas. The walk way to the school is also very icy.
- Parcyrhun County Primary School: Hazardous conditions leading up to school and school site.
- Rhydaman (Community Primary School): Car park dangerous with snow and ice.
- Ysgol Gymraeg Teilo Sant: The roads leading to the school and the school site are covered in snow and are hazardous.
- Tycroes School: Snow and ice conditions around the school site are unsafe. This was a designated INSET day but school will now also be closed to staff.
Gwynedd
- Ysgol Y Moelwyn: Following a health and safety assessment, we have to close the school.
- Ysgol Y Moelwyn: Following a health and safety assessment, we have to close the school.
- Ysgol Y Moelwyn: Following a health and safety assessment, we have to close the school.
- Ysgol Y Moelwyn: Following a health and safety assessment, we have to close the school.
- Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen: The school will be closed due to health and safety concerns arising from the condition of the site and the overnight weather forecast.
- Ysgol Friars Uchaf: Closed due to weather, following Health and Safety advice.
- Ysgol Tregarth: Due to severe weather conditions, the school will be closed to ensure everyone’s safety. All staff will continue to work from home (HMS) where possible.
- Ysgol Bodfeurig: Due to severe weather conditions, the school will be closed to ensure everyone’s safety. All staff will continue to work from home (HMS) where possible.
- Ysgol Bodfeurig: Due to severe weather conditions, the school will be closed to ensure everyone’s safety. All staff will continue to work from home (HMS) where possible.
- Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen: For health and safety reasons, due to the weather warning for further snow and ice over night in the area.
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Rhydymain: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Dinas Mawddwy: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils.
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Friog: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils.
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Llanelltyd: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils.
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Cynradd Dolgellau: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils.
- Ysgol Bro Idris – Safle Uwchradd: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns on six of the school sites and on transport as a result of the bad weather. Work will be placed online for pupils.
- Ysgol Tryfan: School closed to pupils and staff due to health and safety concerns regarding the school site as well as transport issues for pupils and staff due to the weather conditions. Work will be set for pupils on-line.
- Ysgol Y Felinheli: Morning only – Inset day therefore staff to work from home due to dangerous driving conditions. Asses the situation from midday.
- Ysgol Bro Lleu: School closed 5/1/26 due to safety concerns on the site and around the school site.
- Ysgol Brynrefail: Health and safety – site and transport. Severe weather warnings.
- Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle: School closed to pupils and staff as a result of health and safety concerns on the school site as well as transport issues as a result of the severe weather conditions. Work will be set for pupils on line.
Isle of Anglesey
- Ysgol David Hughes: will be closed tomorrow due to dangerous conditions on the school site.
Neath Port Talbot
A specific reason for the school closures were not given however there were no planned closures or inset days for the following schools in the area.
- Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School
- Llangatwg Community School
- Ysgol Hendrefelin
What are my rights if my flight has been cancelled?
In the UK and EU, airlines must look after you if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
This includes everything from meals and accommodation to an alternative flight if necessary.
Citizen’s Advice says that airlines should also give impacted passengers access to phone calls and emails, and, if they offer you a place to stay, organise the journeys between the hotel and the airport.
Sometimes, the airline will cover this by handing you vouchers at the airport. When in doubt, keep any receipts for expenses and claim them back afterwards from the airline.
But an airline will only cough up money for ‘reasonable’ expenses.
The hotel minibar or penthouse suites are not up for grabs.
If you didn’t book with a UK or EU airline, you’ll need to check their terms and conditions. However, for the most part, airlines should provide meals and accommodation as appropriate.
When am I eligible for this support?
Whether you’re eligible for the above depends on the distance of your flight and how long you have waited:
- For long-haul (more than 3,500km over four hours or more), it’s four hours or more.
- For short-haul (up to 1,500km over two hours or less), you must have been waiting for two hours or more.
- For medium-haul (between 1,500km and 3,500km over two to four hours), it’s three hours or more.
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