Published on
February 17, 2026
The United Kingdom is preparing for a winter storm that will bring snow, ice and frosty nights conditions, which will create travel disruptions at popular tourist sites throughout the country. Travelers who had hoped for milder late‑February conditions are instead being urged to wrap up warm, allow extra journey time and stay alert to rapidly changing weather as temperatures dip below average for the time of year.
The Met Office headline for the period highlights sunny spells and blustery showers, turning colder, signalling a mixed but increasingly wintry pattern.
Tonight: snow in northern Scotland, ice widely
Snow will continue to fall across northern Scotland through Monday evening before becoming more showery overnight, particularly affecting Highland areas and routes towards the Cairngorms and the North Coast 500. Further south across the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern and eastern England, showers will tend to fade, allowing clear skies and a drop in temperatures.
These clearer conditions will encourage a widespread frost, with icy patches developing on untreated roads and pavements in Northern Ireland, Scotland and eastern England. Forecasters have indicated that such wintry hazards could lead to longer journey times and tricky conditions for those driving between popular city breaks such as Edinburgh, Belfast, Newcastle and York.
Tuesday: cold, bright start before cloud builds in the southwest
Tuesday begins cold and frosty for much of the UK, with many areas starting the day dry under sunny spells, a pattern that will appeal to visitors heading out early to explore historic centres like London, Bath and Oxford. However, a few scattered showers remain possible, mainly across northern and eastern parts of the country, where coastal locations and upland routes may see brief wintry bursts.
Later in the day, cloud is expected to thicken across the southwest, affecting destinations such as Cornwall, Devon and the wider South West England holiday belt. Temperatures through the day are set to remain below the seasonal average, reinforcing the chill already in the air despite any bright intervals.
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Midweek outlook: hill snow in the south, frosty nights and rain later
From Wednesday to Friday, the Met Office expects a north–south split, with the north often dry while the south faces periods of rain and hill snow. This means that while cities such as Glasgow and Aberdeen may experience more settled but cold weather midweek, routes through higher ground in southern Britain, including the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and Exmoor, could see accumulating snow on the hills.
Forecasters say that frosty nights are likely to remain a feature, with temperatures repeatedly dropping below freezing and raising the risk of ice on rural lanes and urban streets alike. By Friday, a more organised area of rain is expected to spread in from the west, potentially affecting travel into and out of western gateways such as Bristol, Cardiff and Liverpool, and bringing a change from snow and ice to wetter, still chilly conditions.
Tourist hotspots likely to feel the impact
Several key tourist destinations across the UK are set to be affected as the wintry pattern develops. Among the locations facing impacts from snow, ice, frost or heavy rain are:
- Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands, including the Cairngorms and routes associated with the North Coast 500, where snow and ice are a particular concern.
- Belfast and wider Northern Ireland, with icy stretches and frosty nights creating challenging conditions for drivers and walkers.
- Eastern England, including York, Newcastle and coastal towns along the North Sea, where frost, ice and brisk winds are expected.
- Southern upland areas such as the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor and Exmoor, which carry a risk of hill snow as bands of rain move across colder air midweek.
- South West and Southern England holiday areas, including Cornwall, Devon and coastal parts of Dorset and Hampshire, where cloudier skies, rain and some wintry showers could affect coastal walks and driving conditions.
Visitors planning scenic drives, hiking trips or city tours are being encouraged to keep their itineraries flexible and monitor the latest local forecasts before setting out.
Safety protocols for tourists in snow and ice
Travel specialists, referring to Met Office guidance, have advised that tourists should avoid unnecessary journeys during periods of heaviest snow or when ice warnings are in force wherever possible. Where travel is essential, people are urged to plan their route in advance, allow extra time, check for road closures or public transport delays, and be prepared to adjust plans at short notice.
Visitors heading out on foot are advised to wear sturdy footwear with good grip, watch out for black ice on pavements and car parks, and walk slowly to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Drivers are being reminded to carry warm clothing, blankets, water and a charged mobile phone, and to keep windscreens, lights and number plates clear of ice and snow before setting off. Health guidance also stresses the importance of several warm clothing layers and staying dry to reduce the risk of hypothermia and frostbite in exposed locations.
Bottom Line
The winter weather conditions will create an enduring memory for visitors to the United Kingdom during this current week. The visitors will experience winter weather because the United Kingdom is currently experiencing a combination of sparkling frosty mornings and sudden snow showers and grey rain-laden skies that will create deep winter conditions which extend beyond the normal spring transition. Travel experts recommended that tourists should implement sensible precautions which should include flexible travel arrangements while they monitor official travel updates so they can explore the country’s castles and coastlines and countryside in safety during the upcoming chilly weather period.
