Key Points
- Met Office yellow snow and ice warnings cover nearly all of Scotland from 4pm on Thursday, February 12, to midday on Friday, February 13, 2026, impacting 32 council areas.
- Snow showers expected to affect low-lying areas like Glasgow and Edinburgh with 1-2 cm accumulations, while hills above 300m could see 2-5 cm and up to 10 cm in spots.
- Temperatures to plunge below freezing, with towns like Wick, Biggar, and Fort William reaching -2°C overnight, and predictions of lows up to -12°C in colder snaps across Scotland.
- Edinburgh warning starts at 3pm Thursday, with temperatures dropping to 3°C then 2°C by 7pm, reaching 0°C overnight, leading to icy conditions.
- Overnight snow expected across Scotland on February 14, with 3-7 cm at 150m and 10-15 cm above 400m, amid brisk winds.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 16, 2026 – Scotland braces for an Arctic blast as the Met Office issues widespread yellow warnings for snow and ice, with exact timings forecast for major cities including Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Temperatures are set to tumble to as low as -12°C amid the cold snap, bringing hazardous conditions to urban and rural areas alike. Snow showers will descend to lower levels from Thursday evening, February 12, affecting low-lying spots with 1-2 cm of accumulation by Friday morning. According to The Daily Record and The Mirror, nearly all 32 council areas face impacts, sparing only a few islands.
When is snow exactly forecast for Glasgow and Edinburgh?
The Met Office yellow alert begins at 4pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026, extending to midday Friday, February 13, across Scotland. In Edinburgh, conditions worsen from 3pm Thursday, with temperatures falling to 3°C, then 2°C by 7pm, and 0°C overnight, as reported by Edinburgh Live and Edinburgh Evening News. Glasgow faces similar timings, with snow reaching city levels alongside ice risks on untreated surfaces.
As reported by Kathryn Chalk of Met Office, a cloudy evening will bring rain, sleet, and snow from the west overnight into February 14, with accumulations of 3-7 cm at 150m and 10-15 cm above 400m under brisk southerly winds.
What temperatures will the Arctic blast bring?
Overnight lows will hit -2°C in areas like Wick, Biggar, and Fort William, with broader predictions of -6°C to -8°C in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, potentially dipping to -12°C or lower in the Highlands during sharp snaps. The rapid freeze heightens slip risks, prompting Met Office emphasis on ice formation.
How severe will accumulations be in low-lying areas?
Glasgow and Edinburgh expect 1-2 cm in low areas, while elevations above 300m could see 2-5 cm, and localised 10 cm piles. Weather25.com forecasts multiple snowy days in February, with Glasgow seeing 8 days and up to 5.47 inches total, and Edinburgh 7 days with 1.69 inches.
What precautions are advised during this cold spell?
Residents should prepare for travel disruptions, injuries from slips, and power issues in rural spots. The warnings signal hazardous conditions persisting into mid-February, with ongoing snow risks noted in Met Office updates and outlets like The Weather Outlook.
Friday mornings will bring icy starts in Edinburgh with bright sunshine from 9am, but the cold persists across Scotland amid the winter’s harsh turn.
