BBC Weather is forecasting a frosty start to 2026
The first weeks of January are set to be a little colder than normal(Image: Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)
It’s set to be a frosty start to 2026 when temperatures plummet to below freezing in London. BBC Weather is predicting thermometers will dip to -1C overnight between Saturday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 6.
However, the daytime will remain sunny and cool, with only light winds forecasted across the capital. Things will begin to warm up slightly by next weekend (January 10 – 11) , with lows of around 3C at night.
The Met Office mostly agrees, but believes the cold snap will instead start on Friday. However, the outlook is uncertain in the second half of the month as long-range models show a wide range of possible scenarios.
The BBC’s experts say the country is likely to be chilly for a time then possibly milder later. The forecast reads: “High pressure is expected to remain relatively close to the UK, but its exact position will be crucial in determining the outcome.
The capital will most likely not see snow despite the low temperatures(Image: Hesther Ng/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Most likely, temperatures will fluctuate either side of the January average or slip slightly below it overall, with near- or below-average precipitation amounts. The northwest could be wetter at times, with some snow over the Highlands.
“Later in January, there may be a chance of a return to milder and more widely unsettled conditions. However, there is a risk that high pressure could become established farther north, leading to generally colder conditions.”
For the same period, the Met Office says we will experience “relatively unsettled” weather interspersed with showers, especially around coastal areas. According to the authority’s data, London does not reach below freezing in January on average.
The capital instead enjoys lows of around of 2.7C and highs of 8.4C. This then changes to lows of 2.65C and highs of 9C in February, before shooting up to 4.1C and 11.7C in March, respectively.
London 10-day forecast, according to BBC Weather
December 28 – 9C/2C, light cloud and gentle breeze
December 29 – 7C/4C, light cloud and light wind
December 30 – 7C/0C, sunny intervals and light wind
December 31 – 5C/0C, sunny and light winds
January 1 – 7C/3C, sunny intervals and gentle breeze
January 2 – 6C/0C, drizzle and a gentle breeze
January 3 – 5C/-1C, sunny intervals and light wind
January 4 – 5C/-2C, sunny and light winds
January 5 – 4C/-1C, sunny intervals and light wind
January 6 – 5C/0C, drizzle and light wind
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