Snow storms close hundreds of schools after -9°C arctic blast

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Disruptive snow, wind and rain could hit parts of southern England this week, as an Atlantic low-pressure front meets an Arctic air mass.

The Met Office said that even the south may see snow on higher ground on Thursday and Friday.

Northern and central areas of England could face more snow, with rain and strong winds, depending on the path of an approaching Atlantic low-pressure system.

Forecaster Aidan McGivern said in a video posted on the Met Office’s X account that there is a 20% chance the system takes a northern route, which would bring widespread ‘disruptive’ wind and rain to much of England and Wales, and possibly more snow in northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.

With Arctic air surrounding the UK, Atlantic-driven weather tries to make a comeback this week. This will result in a messy mix of rain, wind, snow and ice in many places.Find out more in the Week Ahead forecast with AidanAlso available on Spotify: https://t.co/KUYvRr4CgJ pic.twitter.com/u9zhsb0Tnn
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 5, 2026

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But he said there was a 30% chance that the front moves through northern France, bringing snow to southern counties in England, especially in higher areas.

The most likely outcome is wind and rain in the southern parts of the UK, with central England seeing the risk of disruption from snow, he added.

Hundreds of schools remain closed today, mainly in Wales and Scotland, where drifting snow and ice have left travel virtually impossible in northern areas.

A pedestrian walks down a snow-covered street pulling a sledge in the town of Glossop, Derbyshire, northern England on January 6, 2026, after a light snow covered the region overnight. The UK's Met Office issued fresh weather warnings for January 5-6 for snow and ice for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and said cold weather health alerts for all English regions would remain in place until January 9. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) — Streets up and down the UK have been dusted white (Picture: AFP)

A man walks his dog across a snow-covered field in the town of Glossop, Derbyshire, northern England on January 6, 2026. The UK's Met Office issued fresh weather warnings for January 5-6 for snow and ice for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and said cold weather health alerts for all English regions would remain in place until January 9. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) — Multiple weather and cold temperature warnings are in place (Picture: AFP)

Aberdeenshire Council and Orkney Islands Council have both confirmed all schools and nurseries will be shut on Tuesday.

The University of Highlands and Islands in Kirkwall will also be closed until conditions improve.

In Northern Ireland, dozens of schools will remain closed due to snowy and icy conditions across the country.

Yesterday, passengers were left stranded at airports in Manchester, Liverpool, 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.

Rain turning to snow will hit Scotland and northern England on Tuesday, with 1–5 cm likely in northern England and up to 10–15cm in central and eastern Scotland, the Met Office said.

Two amber snow warnings have been issued in the northern parts of Scotland until this evening, while there are also yellow snow and ice warnings across southwest England, northern England, eastern England and Wales.

A yellow ice warning is in place in Northern Ireland.

A yellow warning means some disruption is possible, such as travel delays, but many people can continue with their daily routine, according to the Met Office.

An amber warning indicates a higher risk, with severe weather likely to cause travel disruption, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property and people are advised to take precautions.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and well-being, running until Friday.

Overnight, temperatures will once again fall below freezing for much of the country, with the lowest temperatures overlying snow possibly dipping to minus 12C, the Met Office said.

It’s a cold one out there…people are being warned about school closures and changes to travel after snow and ice warnings are in place across the UK (Picture: Metro graphics)

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.’

People skate on a frozen flooded field in Upware, Cambridgeshire. The Cambridgeshire Fens were the birthplace of British speed skating and require four nights of frost, with a temperature of -4 or colder and little or no thawing during the days in between, to make ice strong enough to skate on. Picture date: Monday January 5, 2026. PA Photo. Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing as many people return to school or work after the festive period. A string of snow and ice warnings are in place across the UK as the Met Office has warned that cold conditions would bring a range of wintry hazards for the next few days. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire — People skate on a frozen flooded field in Upware, Cambridgeshire (Credits: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

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.

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.

‘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.’

Schools in Wales and Scotland are widely closed (Picture: Guy Venables/Metro)

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:

School closures in Cornwall

Launceston College

School closures in Dudley

Brierley Hill Primary School
Brockmoor Primary School
Caslon Primary Community School
Kates Hill Primary School
Northfield Road Primary School
Temple Meadow Primary

School closures in Nortfolk

Acle Academy
Brisley Church Of England Primary Academy
Bure Park Specialist Academy
Chapel Green School
Fred Nicholson School
Freethorpe Community Primary School
Greenpark Academy
Hall School
Harford Manor School
Include Schools Norfolk
John Grant School
Little Plumstead Church Of England Primary Academy
Morley Church Of England Primary Academy
Ormesby Village Infant School
Ormesby Village Junior School
Reedham Primary And Nursery School
Rudham Church Of England Primary Academy
Saxlingham Nethergate CE VC Primary School
The Bridge Easton School
The Clare School
The Fen Rivers Academy
The Parkside School
West Walton Community Primary School

School closures in Shropshire

St. Martin’s Primary

Longlands Primary School
St. Martin’s Secondary
Thomas Adams
Grove School
The Marches School
Sir John Talbot’s School
Woodlands Special School

School closures in Staffordshire

C.E.D.A.R.S. Newcastle & Moorlands
Sir Thomas Boughey High School
Staffordshire University Academy
All Saints Church of England Primary, Ranton
Alleyne’s Academy
Alsagers Bank Primary Academy
Bailey Street Alternative Provision Academy
Baldwins Gate CE(VC) Primary School, Newcastle
Barlaston CE(VC) First School
Berkswich CE(VC) Primary School, Stafford
Betley CE(VC) Primary School, Newcastle
Blackfriars Academy, Newcastle
Castlechurch Primary School
Chadsmoor Community Infant and Nursery School
Chase View Community Primary School
Christ Church Academy, Stone
Christ Church CE First School, Stone
Churnet View Middle School
Ellison Primary Academy, Newcastle
Endon Hall Primary School
Endon High School
Gorsemoor Primary School
Green Lea First School, Milwich
Hednesford Valley High School
Horton Lodge Community Special School
James Bateman Middle School
Kidsgrove Secondary School
Kingsfield First School
Knypersley First School
Loxley Hall School
Madeley High School
Manor Hill First School, Stone
Marshlands Special School, Stafford
May Bank Infants School, Newcastle
Merryfields Special School
Moor First School
Norton Canes High School
Oakridge Primary School, Stafford
Our Lady and St Werburgh’s Catholic Primary School
Oxhey First School
Ravensmead Primary School
Seabridge Primary School
Sherbrook Primary School, Cannock
Sir John Offley CE(VC) Primary School, Madeley
Springfield School
Springhead Community Primary School
Squirrel Hayes First School, Biddulph
St. Chad’s CE(VC) Primary School, Newcastle
St. Giles’ & St. George’s CofE Academy
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Academy
St. John’s CE(VC) First School, Bishops Wood
St. Luke’s CE(VC) Primary School
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School
St. Mary’s CofE Primary School, Mucklestone
The King’s CofE Academy
The Orme Academy
The Reginald Mitchell Primary School
Thursfield Primary School, Harriseahead
Tillington Manor Primary School, Stafford
Tittensor CE(VC) First School
Walton Hall Academy
Walton High School
Walton Priory Middle School, Walton
Westwood College
Wightwick Hall School
Wood Lane Primary School

School closures in Suffolk

Morland Church of England Primary School
Red Oak Primary School

School closures in Scotland

Aberdeenshire Council
Aboyne Academy
Alford Academy
Arduthie School
Auchenblae School
Ballogie Nursery
Ballater School
Balmedie School
Banchory Primary School
Barthol Chapel School
Banchory-Devenick School
Bracoden School
Buchanhaven Primary School
Carronhill School
Catterline School
Craigievar School
Crathes School
Crombie School
Cultercullen School
Dales Park School
Daviot School
Drumoak School
Dunnottar School
Drumblade School
Echt School
Ellon Primary School
Elrick School
Finzean School
Fordyce School
Hill of Banchory School
Hillside School
Insch School
Gordan Schools
Johnshaven School
Keithhall School
Kemnay School
Kennethmont School
Lairhillock School
Laurencekirk School
Mearns Academy
Meldrum Academy
Methlick School
Monymusk School
Newburgh Mathers School
Newtonhill School
Ordiquhill School
Peterhead Academy
Pitmedden School
Port Erroll School
Portlethen School
Rathen School
Rhynie School
Sandhaven School
Skene School
St Andrew’s School, Inverurie
St Fergus School
Strathburn School
Strathdon School
Tarland School
Tarves School
Tough School
Turriff Primary School
Tyrie School
Uryside School
Westhill Academy
Westhill Primary School
Whitehills School

School closures in Shetland

Aith Junior High School
Anderson High School
Baltasound Junior High School
Brae High School
Bell’s Brae Primary School
Burravoe Primary School
Cullivoe Primary School
Cunningsburgh Primary School
Dunrossness Primary School
Fair Isle Primary School
Foula Primary School
Hamnavoe Primary School
Happyhansel Primary School
Lunnasting Primary School
Mid Yell Junior High School
Mossbank Primary School
Nesting Primary School
North Roe Primary School
Ollaberry Primary School
Sandness Primary School
Sandwick Junior High School
Scalloway Primary School
Sound Primary School
Tingwall Primary School
Urafirth Primary School
Whalsay School
Whiteness Primary School

School closures in Telford

Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby
Holy Trinity Academy
Telford Langley School

School closures in Wales

Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni catchment (all primary and secondary schools)
David Hughes catchment (all primary and secondary schools)
Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones catchment (all primary and secondary schools)
Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern catchment (all primary and secondary schools)
Canolfan Addysg y Bont, Ysgol Gynradd Rhosneigr and Ysgol Llanfawr
Ysgol Rhosgadfan
Ysgol Garndolbenmaen
Ysgol LlanllechidYsgol Treferthyr, Criccieth
Ysgol Hirael, Bangor
Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn
Ysgol Ein Harglwyddes, Bangor
Ysgol Llandygai
Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog
Ysgol Eifion Wyn, Porthmadog
Ysgol Pennal
Ysgol Dyffryn Dulas Corris
Ysgol Y Garnedd, Bangor
Ysgol Gwaun Gynfi, Deiniolen
Ysgol Hafod Lon, Penrhyndeudraeth
Ysgol Penybryn, Tywyn
Ysgol Bontnewydd
Ysgol Pendalar, Caernarfon
Ysgol Llandwrog
Ysgol Rhiwlas
Ysgol Rhosgadfan
Ysgol Dolbadarn, Llanberis
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes
Ysgol Bro Idris – Cynradd and Uwchradd, at Dolgellau, and sites at Rhydymain, Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd and Friog
Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor
Ysgol Y Felinheli
Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug
Ysgol Tregarth
Ysgol Bodfeurig, Sling
Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon
Ysgol I D Hooson School, Rhosllanerchrugog
Ysgol St Christopher’s
School closures in Conwy
Canolfan Addysg Penmaenrhos Education Centre
Canolfan Addysg Penrhos Avenue Education Centre
Canolfan Addysg y Ddraig Goch Education Centre
Ysgol Awel y Mynydd
Ysgol Bro Cernyw
Ysgol Bryn Elian
Ysgol Cystennin
Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy
Ysgol Eirias
Ysgol Gymunedol Cerrigydrudion
Ysgol Nant y Groes
Ysgol Pen y Bryn
Ysgol Penmachno
Ysgol Pentrefoelas
Ysgol Porth y Felin
Ysgol Talhaiarn
Ysgol y Creuddyn
Ysgol Y Plas

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Snow storms close hundreds of schools after -9°C arctic blast

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What are my rights if my flight has been cancelled?