Scotland has enjoyed a much-needed break from the frosty conditions it has endured. Since the beginning of 2025, the country has been swept up in yellow weather warnings for snow, ice, and heavy rain that has battered north and south.
However, the lull in the not so favourable weather is, unfortunately, set to end next week. According to the Met Office, parts of the UK can expect more snow and hail, with heavy rain forecast nationwide.
The UK weather agency’s outlook for the start of next week reveals “a cloudy outlook through the start of the new working week, with showery rain spreading erratically eastwards. Temperatures generally around average in the north, but chilly further south.”
The Met Office weather map indicates snow will return to Scotland on Wednesday, January 22, initially affecting the north before moving southwards towards Glasgow and Dumfries. Fort William, Loch Rannoch, and Biggar can expect some snow, although significant disruptions are not anticipated.
The Met Office forecasts: “Cloudy with occasional spots of drizzle through Sunday afternoon becoming more frequent and widespread on Monday and Tuesday. Feeling chilly with overnight frosts possible.”
No weather warnings are currently in place, although the UK Health Security Agency’s yellow cold health warning remains in effect until Tuesday, January 21. The UKHSA issues a cold weather warning when the likelihood of illnesses, accidents and deaths increases due to chilly conditions, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Record previously reported that Scotland could see widespread snow on Wednesday, January 29, too, marking its return after a sub-zero freeze caked the UK in snow just last week, according to WXCHARTS.
Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, remains dubious as to how much the country could get, though, only some “Scottish mountain snow” currently on his radar.
Speaking to the Mirror, he added: “Windy, possibly stormy in the north only around that time; briefly colder in the aftermath, a bit of northern snow. Nothing as yet to get one’s teeth into with any degree of certainty.”
The Met Office doesn’t deny the risk of snow, but says wetter, windier and ultimately more mild weather will arrive first. In its long-range forecast from January 21-30, it says: “The early part of next week will see fairly quiet.
“For most, dry weather with variable amounts of cloud and often light winds. The greatest chance of any rain is likely to be in the far northwest of the UK, and possibly as well in the far south.
In the meantime, the public is encouraged to check on vulnerable or elderly relatives and neighbours to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
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