It comes after the UK Health Security Agency issued a cold-health alert
The Met Office has issued a new 12-hour yellow weather warning for snow and ice which covers a large area of Kent as the county braces for freezing temperatures in the New Year. Due to be in effect throughout the morning of Friday, December 2, the weather warning will begin at midnight and end at midday.
Forecasters predict persistent freezing temperatures as we enter the New Year, with overnight lows hitting -1C in many parts of Kent over the coming nights. On the night of New Year’s Eve itself, temperatures could be as low as -3C.
The chilly weather will continue throughout Thursday (January 1) and then overnight into Friday, making way for the possibility of light snow flurries during the morning. The yellow weather warning covers the majority of inland Kent, encompassing Ashford, Medway, Canterbury, Maidstone, Swale, Tunbridge Wells, Dartford, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.
Meanwhile, coastal regions including Thanet, Whitstable, Dover and Folkestone lay outside of the warning area. Forecasters predict that an area of sleet and snow will travel south-eastwards across England and Wales on Friday, lasting between two and three hours in any one place.
As such, between 1cm or 2cm of snowfall is likely for most areas, while some locations could see as much as 5cm, namely in the higher ground regions of north Wales and northwest England. Icy patches will quickly develop as sleet and snow clear.
While the yellow alert is in place, the public is advised that the snow and ice will likely impact roads and railways, resulting in longer journey times. Bus and train services could also see delays and cancellations.
Some injuries may occur from slips and falls on icy surfaces. The Met Office has urged the public to keep an eye out for ice patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: “It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of ‘winter’ as we welcome in the New Year, initially in the north, but more widely across the UK for the first week of 2026. Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK, and it will feel especially cold in the strong winds.
“Widespread and locally severe frosts are expected, along with the first snow of the winter for many […] These colder conditions and wintry hazards – snow, ice and strong winds – will develop more widely as we enter the New Year, with more warnings for snow and ice likely.
“It looks like this cold spell will last through at least the first week of January, so it’s important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.” News of the snow and ice warning follows the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a yellow cold-health alert over the entire south east region.
This alert came into effect from 8pm on Sunday (December 28) and is due to remain in place until 12pm on Monday (January 5). It warns that the freezing temperatures are likely to have “significant impacts across health and social care services,” with over 65s and those with existing health conditions particularly at risk.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Find further details on the full Kent forecast for the coming days here.
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