The UK could be set for a sharp plunge back into wintry weather as new weather maps reveal a 600-mile wall of cold air and snow showers spreading across the UK at the start of 2026. The latest WXCharts maps for the New Year, generated on December 21, show a classic "Beast from the East" developing, with freezing air from continental Europe pushing westwards across the North Sea and bringing snow into eastern, northern and even central parts of the country.

According to one WXCharts weather map, which provides a 'Winter Overview' for January 1, the snow cloud itself spans almost the entire length of the UK, stretching around 600 miles from the east coast of northern Scotland down to southern England, while extending 300 to 350 miles inland. This puts large areas directly in the firing line for snow showers, icy conditions and night temperatures plunging to sub-zero. Meanwhile, temperature maps also valid for January 1 show widespread overnight lows falling below 0C, particularly inland, with parts of Scotland and northern England dipping well below freezing.

Daytime temperatures are also expected to struggle to get above freezing, especially where snow cover develops. According to the chart, even by noon on New Years Day, temperatures in central Scotland and near Newcastle may still be as low as -5C, while in and around Birmingham temperatures will hover at -2C. Even London and much of southern England could remain below freezing, with temperatures as low as -2C in Kent and Hampshire.

By 12pm on January 1, the warmest places in the UK will be in Devon and Cornwall, the southwestern coast of Wales, Stoke-on-Trent and coastal areas of Northern Ireland, including near Belfast, where temperatures are supposed to climb above freezing to 4C near the coast.

Snow depth projections indicate 2-6cm fairly widely, with 8-14cm possible over higher ground in northern England and Scotland. Areas near Norwich and Ipswich are even predicted to see as much as 4cm covering the ground by 6pm on January 1. Outside of Scotland, Middlesbrough is expected to see the highest snow depths in England, with up to 5cm, according to WXCharts.

While WXCharts' weather maps predict snow for January 1, it is worth noting that the Met Office's long-range forecast for this period does not yet indicate any snowfall, although it does suggest conditions will be cold. Its forecast for December 25 through to January 3 reads: "Continued mostly settled conditions expected, as high pressure builds to the north of the UK. This will bring a strengthening easterly then northeasterly wind over the period, with wind-chill making it feel colder.

"Whilst there will be a fair amount of dry weather, a few showers will still be possible, particularly across eastern and southern parts which may be wintry in places, more especially over high ground. High pressure will likely dominate the weather in the run up to the New Year, slowly drifting to the west.

"This will maintain largely settled conditions, although with an increasing chance of showery conditions later in the period. Temperatures will be below average much of the time, with frost likely where clear skies and light winds prevail."

Regarding long-term forecasting, the Met Office warns: "When looking at forecasts beyond five days into the future the chaotic nature of the atmosphere begins to play a larger part - small events currently over the Atlantic can have potentially significant impacts on our weather in the UK in several days time".