North-east Scotland is bracing for a significant wintry disruption as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice comes into effect at 6 am on New Year’s Day (Thursday January 1 2026). The alert, issued by the Met Office, is set to last for 42 hours, concluding at 11:59 pm on Friday, January 2. It encompasses the entirety of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, extending across much of northern Scotland with its southern boundary near Montrose.
Forecasters are predicting “frequent and heavy snow showers,” which are expected to lead to “some travel disruption to begin the year.” Accumulations of 2 to 5 centimetres are likely at lower elevations, potentially reaching 10 centimetres in localised areas by Friday morning. For routes situated above 200 metres, 10 to 20 centimetres of snow could accumulate, while the highest hills and passes might see in excess of 30 centimetres. The severity of the forecast is exacerbated by a “strong, perhaps locally gale force northerly wind,” which is expected to cause “some significant drifting of snow.”
Temperatures are also set to plummet, with Aberdeen City forecast to experience lows around -2 degrees Celsius, while inland areas such as Braemar could see temperatures drop to -8 degrees Celsius over the coming weekend. The Met Office has warned of “widespread and locally severe frosts,” heralding the first significant snowfall of the winter for many.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway stated: “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.”
The yellow warning signifies that while many people may continue with their daily routines, “some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places,” are likely. However, the potential for “treacherous driving conditions” on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths is high, with warnings of increased risks of slips and falls. Broader impacts could include travel delays, potential for stranded vehicles, impassable routes, and even localised power cuts, with rural communities facing the risk of being cut off.
For a region heavily reliant on robust transport links for its diverse economy, such weather conditions pose considerable business challenges. Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, often dubbed the “oil capital of Europe,” boast a strong economic base beyond energy, including significant contributions from food and drink, life sciences, technology, and professional services. The area generates 18% of Scotland’s private sector business turnover and has consistently high average earnings in the UK. The oil and gas sector, though adapting to a net-zero transition, remains “inextricably linked” to the wider regional economy. Extreme weather events can significantly disrupt offshore operations, leading to lost supplies, logistical hurdles, and increased costs for maintenance and repairs, as offshore facilities may not be fully designed for worsening conditions.
Historically, severe weather has inflicted substantial economic costs. The “Beast from the East” in 2018, for instance, was estimated to have cost Scotland’s economy between £300 million and £700 million due to paralysed transportation and business closures. Industries dependent on footfall, such as retail and hospitality, are particularly vulnerable to reduced consumer activity during heavy snow. Moreover, the agricultural sector, vital to Aberdeenshire, has previously suffered heavy losses in livestock and crops, alongside increased operational costs during severe wintry spells.
As residents and businesses prepare for the New Year, the Met Office advises people to equip their cars with winter kits and check on vulnerable individuals.
