Snowfall is forecast for later this week
Matt Lee Senior Multimedia Journalist
11:05, 04 Jan 2026
A snowy garden in Chelmsford. File image(Image: EssexLive)
A yellow warning for snow and ice has been issued, covering parts of Essex. It comes against the backdrop of continued freezing temperatures across Essex and the wider East of England region.
The Met Office warning, which runs for 15 hours from 8pm on Sunday (January 4) to 11am on Monday (January 5), covers parts of northern Essex. Colchester, Harwich, Braintree, Great Dunmow, and Saffron Walden are among the county’s areas covered by the warning.
People in areas covered by the warning have been told to expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times. There could also be some icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
Despite the Met Office’s weather warning, there appears to be no snow currently forecast for Colchester. Temperatures are forecast to be below freezing from around 5pm on Sunday to midday on Monday, though.
The BBC is forecasting that part of Essex could be blitzed by a three-hour spell of snow showers later in the week. Weather experts are forecasting snowfall in Chelmsford throughout Wednesday (January 7).
BBC Weather’s forecast for Essex predicts Essex to see “plenty of winter sunshine” throughout Sunday and Monday. The “odd wintry shower” is possible on Tuesday afternoon, they add, with light snow at 9pm turning to light snow showers from 10pm.
Sleet conditions could run into Wednesday before clearing up around midday. Light snow showers are forecast to return again from 10pm, turning to sleet in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Met Office’s East of England outlook for Tuesday to Thursday says: “Bright but cold much of Tuesday, but becoming cloudy later with rain and perhaps some snow overnight. Sunny spells developing on Wednesday before further rain and snow overnight and into Thursday.”
The amber cold health alert will remain until 10am on January 9. Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, previously said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
The forecast is based on BBC Weather predictions for Chelmsford in Essex and are correct at the time of writing.