A dusting of snow and ice has blanketed parts of Britain as Arctic air plunged much of the country into sub-zero temperatures.
Temperatures plummeted to -9.3C in some areas on Saturday night as England and Wales recorded their lowest temperatures of the winter season so far.
Amber weather warnings have been issued as Britons are warned that wintry conditions are anticipated to worsen across the UK.
Golfers in Liverpool braved the chilly conditions as they were spotted on the snowy fifth green of the Lee Park course.
On Sunday morning, a new amber weather warning was issued for snow in parts of Scotland – covering Aberdeen, Aviemore in the Cairngorms, and Ullapool, Ross-shire.
It begins at 6pm on Sunday and expires at 10am on Monday, and forecasts ‘heavy snow’ and travel disruption.
Separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place for Wales, Greater Manchester and south-west England – while much of the east coast of England is covered by a yellow warning for ice.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers much of Scotland north of Glasgow, and expires at midnight on Monday.
WALES — Snow covers Carmarthen in the west of Wales, January 4, 2026
LIVERPOOL — Golfers putt on the 5th Green on Lee Park Golf course with a layer of snow in Lee Park, January 4, 2026
The warnings cover much of the Highlands and Abereenshire areas, Orkney, Shetland, and Outer Hebridean Islands, from Sunday evening until 10am on Monday – with the potential for another 5-10cm of snow accumulating at low levels, with the potential for 20-30cm on high ground.
The Met Office warned that people living in the regions covered by the amber weather warning could expect travel disruption, and that rural communities could become cut off.
It also warned of flights potentially being cancelled, and that mobile phone coverage could be impacted.
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.’
Scottish Cabinet secretary for transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: ‘We’ve already seen challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas.
‘Of course for many Monday marks a return to work from the festive break. If you have to travel then please ensure your vehicle is winter ready and have a winter kit in your car.
‘Follow Police Scotland travel advice. If you can delay your journey until the amber warning has expired, please do so.
Amber weather warnings have been issued as Britons are warned that wintry conditions are anticipated to worsen across the UK
Temperatures plummeted to -9.3C in some parts on Saturday night as England and Wales recorded their lowest temperatures of the winter season so far
The warnings cover much of the Highlands and Abereenshire areas, Orkney, Shetland, and Outer Hebridean Islands, from Sunday evening until 10am on Monday
SCOTLAND — Heavy snow in north-east Scotland as a man attempts to dig a car out
LONDON — People walk in Richmond Park surrounded by heavy frost at dawn, January 4, 2026
NORTH TYNESIDE — A wintry snow scene over Tynemouth on the north east coast of England, January 4, 2026
LIVERPOOL — An aerial photograph taken with a drone shows snow covering rooftops in the Mossley Hill, January 4, 2026
LONDON — Early morning walkers make their way through the churchyard at St Martha-on-the-Hill Church at sunrise in Chilworth
‘I’d also like to thank all the frontline staff such as gritter drivers, chainsaw gangs, police officers and many others who have been out working in dreadful conditions these past few days and over the next 48 hours.’
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued warnings across England which are in place until 10am on January 9.
Its amber cold health alert means that the weather is expected to have severe impacts across health and social care services.
The alert has been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.
The British Heart Foundation said cold weather can present specific risks for people with heart problems because the heart has to work harder, which can exacerbate existing health conditions.
The organisation said there are thousands of additional deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the winter months every year in the UK.
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and people with cardiovascular disease are also more at risk of serious illness if they get seasonal respiratory infections like flu.
NORTH TYNESIDE — A blanket of snow and ice is seen in aerial pictures of Tynemouth on January 4, 2026
LONDON — A person rides a horse through heavy frost at Richmond Park, January 4, 2026
LIVERPOOL — The snow-covered rooftops of homes in the Mossley Hill area on January 4, 2026
SCOTLAND — A street in Aberdeen is blanketed in snow as it continues to fall on January 4, 2026
‘It’s especially important that people living with heart conditions are well prepared for the cold snap this winter by wrapping up warm and having their free flu jab.’
Meanwhile, NHS South West London urged people to ensure they have sufficient food and medicine, keep bedroom windows closed, wear multiple layers of thinner clothing and ‘heat rooms you spend most time in, to 18C if you can’.
Sir Sadiq Khan said homeless people in London will be sheltered with temperatures set to plummet below freezing during ice-cold evenings.
The Mayor’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.