The UK’s national forecaster warned on Saturday 17 January that a renewed plunge in temperatures toward month-end could bring widespread snow and fog, threatening fresh delays to air, rail and road networks already stretched by repeated winter storms. Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick told media outlets that the second half of January is likely to see Arctic maritime air masses re-establish over Britain, raising the probability of wintry hazards across upland England and low-lying commuter belts alike.
While this weekend will see average temperatures of 6–10 °C and scattered showers, the Office’s medium-range model indicates a 60 % chance of sub-zero nights and disruptive snowfall from 27–31 January. Airport operators at Manchester and Liverpool—both vulnerable to low-visibility events—have already convened contingency planning meetings and warned airlines that de-icing crews may be stretched if fog gels into freezing drizzle.
![Met Office Flags End-January Cold Snap as Businesses Brace for Further Travel Disruption]()
Logistics companies fear compounded impact: road hauliers will need additional driver hours to navigate snow-covered arterial routes, just as post-holiday inventory restocking peaks. For global-mobility managers, the looming cold spell coincides with Chinese New Year movements and year-end project rotations; contingency itineraries may be essential to avoid contractual penalties.
For travellers whose winter contingency plans might suddenly route them through unfamiliar transit points, having the correct paperwork is as vital as tracking the weather. VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) allows individuals and corporate mobility teams to verify visa requirements and secure documents rapidly online, so if flights are diverted or itineraries change at the last minute, visas and passports won’t be what leaves you stranded.
Best practice advice: employers should reconfirm that travelling staff have authority to book same-day hotel accommodation if severe weather strands them. Airside pass-holders should carry extra photo ID, as airport security lines tend to slow when winter clothing complicates screening. EU/UK 261 protections still apply, but only where delays are not solely weather-related.
While this weekend will see average temperatures of 6–10 °C and scattered showers, the Office’s medium-range model indicates a 60 % chance of sub-zero nights and disruptive snowfall from 27–31 January. Airport operators at Manchester and Liverpool—both vulnerable to low-visibility events—have already convened contingency planning meetings and warned airlines that de-icing crews may be stretched if fog gels into freezing drizzle.
Logistics companies fear compounded impact: road hauliers will need additional driver hours to navigate snow-covered arterial routes, just as post-holiday inventory restocking peaks. For global-mobility managers, the looming cold spell coincides with Chinese New Year movements and year-end project rotations; contingency itineraries may be essential to avoid contractual penalties.
For travellers whose winter contingency plans might suddenly route them through unfamiliar transit points, having the correct paperwork is as vital as tracking the weather. VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) allows individuals and corporate mobility teams to verify visa requirements and secure documents rapidly online, so if flights are diverted or itineraries change at the last minute, visas and passports won’t be what leaves you stranded.
Best practice advice: employers should reconfirm that travelling staff have authority to book same-day hotel accommodation if severe weather strands them. Airside pass-holders should carry extra photo ID, as airport security lines tend to slow when winter clothing complicates screening. EU/UK 261 protections still apply, but only where delays are not solely weather-related.
