Met Office warns of snow on Scotland's hills this Saturday as 'brief hint of winter' sweeps the UK

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Scotland's highest peaks can expect a brief dusting of snow on Saturday, the Met Office has confirmed, with a surge of cold air delivering what forecasters describe as a "brief hint of winter" in the wake of the country's record-breaking summer. Temperatures are forecast to fall to around 10C across England and Wales and 8C in Scotland, and strong winds will make conditions feel considerably colder nationwide. Sunday is expected to be the more pleasant of the two days, with drier skies and sunny intervals before rain and strong winds push in from the west during the afternoon.

Scotland will bear the brunt of Saturday's conditions, with heavy hail and thunder in the forecast alongside the threat of snow on higher ground.

Southern and southeastern areas will largely avoid the worst of it, enjoying longer, brighter periods while the north contends with the most persistent gusts.

Extended forecasts point to a wet and stormy autumn giving way to a harsh winter, with El Niño potentially disrupting the polar vortex and driving Arctic air further south.