The cold snap is set to get even colder
Snow showers are forecast in Greater Manchester on Sunday(Image: Met Office)
Flurries of snow are expected to fall as freezing temperatures dominate Greater Manchester’s weekend. January 2026 has begun with a bitter cold snap that looks set to continue into next week.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for much of the region by the Met Office, lasting from 3pm on Sunday (January 4) until midday on Monday. The region is waking up to another frosty morning today (Saturday), with temperatures stuck below freezing.
Met Office forecasters expect plenty of sunshine though, with clear skies and dry weather forecast across Greater Manchester today. In Manchester, temperatures are expected to climb above 0C by 11am, with a possible top temperature of 3C in the city, plus Trafford and Wigan.
Highs of 2C are expected for the rest of Greater Manchester apart from Oldham, where a top temperature of 1C is forecast. However, the Met Office ‘feels like’ temperature – which takes wind chill and humidity into account – will remain well below 0C throughout the weekend.
After a clear night with lows between -3C and -5C, Greater Manchester is braced for more wintry conditions on Sunday. After a sunny start to the day, snow showers are forecast from early afternoon, continuing until around 6pm across the region.
Bolton is currently forecast to see the most snow for around six hours, while Wigan is expected to see more sleet between midday and 4pm. Maximum temperatures will be similar to today, with highs of 3C in Wigan, 1C in Oldham and 2C in the rest of Greater Manchester.
Areas covered by the Met Office weather warning(Image: Met Office)
Another clear night is expected after 10pm, and temperatures will plunge to -6C or -7C in most areas, but as low as -9C in Oldham. The Met Office says icy conditions could cause travel disruption on Monday morning.
Drivers and pedestrians will need to take care on icy surfaces. The weather warning for snow and ice covers the south and east of Greater Manchester, plus the city centre.
But the whole region is expected to see low temperatures on Monday, following on from Sunday’s wintry weather. While highs of 1C are expected in most areas, temperatures are not currently forecast to climb above 0C in Rochdale and Stockport, or -1C in Tameside and Oldham. Another bitter night is expected going into Tuesday, with lows of -7C in most areas.