The Met Office has upgraded snow warnings to amber in parts of Scotland as the UK braces for a prolonged cold snap into the New Year.

Heavy showers and potential blizzard conditions are forecast from midday Friday to midday Saturday, with widespread yellow alerts for snow and ice extending across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Amber warnings cover:

• Angus
• Perth and Kinross
• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray
• The Highlands

Forecasters predict 10–20cm of snow at low levels and 30–40cm on higher ground, with strong winds likely to cause temporary blizzards, power cuts, travel disruption (rail and air delays/cancellations), and isolation of rural communities.

Yellow warnings span much of England and Wales (from Chester/Manchester to London/Kent, midnight–noon Friday), with up to 5cm of snow possible, especially in higher ground areas of North Wales and northwest England. Northern Ireland faces a separate yellow alert from midnight to 10 a.m. Friday.

Existing yellow snow/ice warnings in northern Scotland remain until midnight Friday, extending south to Perth and Argyll & Bute until Sunday midnight, with up to 20cm above 200m.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also upgraded cold weather alerts from yellow to amber across the East/West Midlands, South East/South West, East of England, Yorkshire & Humber, and London until January 6, warning of likely impacts on health and social care, including increased risks for vulnerable groups.

Meteorologists attribute the wintry start to Arctic air masses, highlighting climate variability after recent mild spells.