UK Snow Forecast: Northern Scotland Faces Highest Risk as Cold Returns November 14, 2026

Last checked: November 14, 2026, 5:13 p.m. London GMT (UTC+00:00; 17:13 UTC). This is the time of this forecast review, not the issuance time of a weather warning.

Northern Scotland, especially higher ground, has the UK's clearest snow risk heading into Sunday, November 15, while most other areas are more likely to encounter cold rain, frosty mornings or brief wintry conditions rather than widespread settling snow. The Met Office forecasts more persistent precipitation in northern Scotland on Sunday, with snow developing mainly on hills and a possibility of flakes reaching lower levels. Cold, unsettled weather then continues into the November 16–18 period.

For travelers and households, the important distinction is between a forecast of snow in certain locations and an official warning for disruptive snow. Forecast details may change as the incoming Atlantic weather systems interact with colder air. The current guidance does not support claims that the whole UK will experience a widespread snowstorm.

Destaques

• Highest snow risk: Northern Scotland, including exposed high ground and parts of the far north; snow at lower elevations remains less certain.
• Timing: Sunday, November 15, brings rain and northern hill snow; further wintry showers are possible Monday through Wednesday, November 16–18.
• Temperatures: A sharp frost has already affected many places, with the Met Office identifying possible overnight lows of −4°C to −6°C in some locations during the initial cold spell.
• Elsewhere: Much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland faces a more mixed picture of rain, wind and frost, not a confirmed blanket of snow.

Where in the UK is snow most likely this week?

Scotland: The Met Office identifies northern Scotland as the main area to watch. Its November 12 snow explainer said showers could bring temporary accumulations at roughly 200–300 meters, with around 2–5 centimeters possible above 400 meters in the earlier northerly flow. Those figures describe the forecast discussed on November 12, not a guaranteed new accumulation for every location on November 15. The November 13 update highlights the northwest of Scotland's higher ground over the weekend, then a wider risk of northern Scottish hill snow on Sunday. The Northern Isles and exposed northern and northeastern coasts may also experience wintry showers.

Northern England: Snow is a more conditional prospect, principally at elevation. The Met Office's regional forecast for northeast England, updated November 14, notes a risk of snow on higher ground as rain approaches late Monday. Lower-lying towns should not interpret that outlook as confirmation of accumulating snow.

Wales and the rest of England: Frost, chilly daytime weather and bands of rain are the more immediate concerns in the national forecast. Some elevated terrain may experience wintry precipitation when suitably cold air and moisture coincide, but the current nationwide outlook does not establish widespread lowland snowfall in the Midlands, southern England or Welsh population centers.

Northern Ireland: The weekend outlook is mainly for showers, rain and a breeze. There is no national Met Office forecast basis for stating that accumulating snow is expected across the province. Check local forecasts for changing conditions, especially before higher-level travel.

When will temperatures drop across Britain?

Temperatures fell sharply in the days before November 14 as Arctic-origin air moved south. In a Met Office statement on November 13, chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said daytime temperatures would remain in single digits in most places and overnight readings could fall to −4°C or −6°C in some locations. These were forecasts for the earlier cold spell, not a precise nationwide minimum for every subsequent night.

For Saturday night into Sunday, November 15, the national five-day forecast, updated at 04:00 UTC on November 14, expects frost in some central and eastern areas of England, while western and northern districts turn cloudier and generally less cold. Sunday becomes wetter and breezier as low pressure advances. Monday may be brighter and colder again, with northern wintry showers. By Wednesday, November 18, another colder feel is indicated for many regions, although exact overnight lows need to be checked using postcode-level forecasts.

What happens from November 15 through November 18?

All dates above use UK calendar dates. The United Kingdom is on Greenwich Mean Time, GMT (UTC+00:00), in November 2026. The Met Office's published update times expressed in UTC therefore match UK time on these dates; they should not be confused with the timing of snow at a particular address.

Why could one town see snow while another gets rain?

Snow depends on more than a cold headline temperature. Air must remain sufficiently cold through the layers between the cloud and ground, and there must be enough moisture to produce precipitation. Higher elevations are often colder, so hills may see snow while neighboring valleys receive sleet or rain. Stronger showers can sometimes cool the air enough to bring snow to lower ground briefly, but a small shift in wind or temperature can change that outcome.

The Met Office explains these factors in its November 12 snow forecast analysis. That is why a specific snowfall map issued several days ahead deserves more caution than a short-range local forecast. The presence of a cold spell alone is not evidence of a major snow event.

Could snow or ice disrupt travel?

Disruption is possible in exposed areas if precipitation settles or wet surfaces freeze, but a forecast risk is not a verified closure, cancellation or weather warning. Before heading to the Highlands, Northern Isles or higher routes in northern England, compare the latest official forecast with the Met Office UK weather warnings. Check your road operator, rail service or airline for actual service changes, and give yourself flexibility if conditions deteriorate.

Pay particular attention to bridges, untreated roads and shaded stretches after a freeze. In areas with persistent rain, water and reduced visibility could be more relevant than snow. Regional circumstances may change faster than the national summary, so a local weather check shortly before departure is more useful than assuming every northern route has the same conditions.

Will the colder weather continue into late November?

The Met Office long-range outlook updated November 14 describes an unsettled pattern through November 19–28, with occasional milder air in the south and potential overnight frost and wintry precipitation on higher ground farther north. For late November into December, it notes a possible greater chance of colder conditions and winter hazards, particularly in northern areas, but emphasizes uncertainty about the developing pressure pattern.

This is a conditional trend, not a forecast that snow will fall in any named city on a specific late-November date. Updated official warnings and location forecasts should take priority over longer-range scenario descriptions.

FAQ

Is snow forecast for London or southern England?

Widespread settling snow is not established in the current Met Office national outlook. Rain, cold days and occasional frost are more immediate considerations.

Which part of Scotland has the greatest snow risk?

Northern Scotland's high ground has the most clearly indicated risk, especially during the November 15 precipitation and subsequent wintry showers. Lower-elevation outcomes are less certain.

Where should I check for a snow warning?

Use the official Met Office warning service and your location-specific forecast. A general mention of snow does not necessarily mean a warning has been issued.