Updated: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Snow showers and a stubborn overnight freeze have pushed many UK schools into closures, delayed openings, and remote-learning plans today. Even where snowfall eases, the bigger risk is often ice: slush refreezes into slick pavements and untreated back roads, making the school run unsafe for walking routes and buses. The Met Office has warned that an Arctic airmass is keeping conditions cold, with further snow/ice hazards possible in affected regions.[1]
Below is a practical “today list” you can publish: it focuses on the closures and delayed openings that have been publicly reported and/or appear in official closure feeds. Because decisions are made locally (and can change hour-to-hour), readers should still confirm with their own school and council before travelling.
Full closures list today (by area)
Scotland (largest disruption)
These are the key areas seeing broad closures, significant disruption, or delayed starts today:
- Aberdeenshire: Schools and nurseries reported closed across the council area.
- Orkney Islands: Schools and nurseries reported closed.
- Shetland: Widespread closures reported due to snow/ice conditions.
- Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan Siar): Closures and disruption reported in several communities.
- Moray: Many schools reported shut due to local conditions.
- Aberdeen City: Some education provisions reported a delayed start (for example, opening later in the morning rather than normal time).
- Highland / parts of northern Scotland: Localised closures and severe travel conditions reported in higher ground and rural routes.
Northern Ireland (official closure feed)
Northern Ireland maintains a live closures service that schools update directly. Here are examples from today’s official list (not exhaustive):[2]
- Harmony Primary School (Forthriver Crescent) — closed (adverse weather)
- Ebrington Primary School (Limavady Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Colmcille’s Primary School, Claudy (Main Street) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Mary’s Primary School, Cloughcor (Cloughcor Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Peter’s Primary School, Plumbridge (Lisnaragh Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Brigid’s Primary School (Carnhill Estate) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Strathfoyle (Parkmore Drive) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Paul’s Primary School, Derry (Moss Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Sacred Heart Primary School (Trench Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Good Shepherd Primary School (Dungiven Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle (Crockanboy Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Christ the King Primary School, Omagh (Gortin Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Chapel Road Primary School (Knockdara Park) — closed (adverse weather)
- Longtower Primary School (Bishop Street) — closed (adverse weather)
- St Eugene’s Primary School (Francis Street) — closed (adverse weather)
- Harryville Primary School (Casement Street) — closed (adverse weather)
- Antrim Primary School (Station Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Ballymena Primary School (Ballymoney Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Magherafelt Primary School (Castledawson Road) — closed (no heating)
- Ashgrove Primary School (Ashgrove Road) — closed (no heating)
- Ballyclare Secondary School (Doagh Road) — closed (adverse weather)
- Magherafelt High School (Moneymore Road) — closed (adverse weather)
Wales
Parts of Wales have also seen closures and delayed openings in pockets where icy roads and higher ground routes remain hazardous. (Because Wales does not use one single national closure list, the most accurate approach is council-by-council updates and direct school alerts.)
England
England’s disruption is more localised today, but ice remains a hazard wherever overnight temperatures stay below freezing. Rural areas and higher routes are typically the first to see closure decisions, especially where school transport cannot run safely.
Why ice is the real problem (even after snow stops)
Many parents assume closures only happen during heavy snowfall — but the most dangerous window is often early morning, when meltwater refreezes. That’s when pavements turn glassy, car parks become slick, and narrow roads can’t be treated quickly enough. The Met Office has emphasised that cold conditions can persist under an Arctic airmass, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and hail showers, plus the risk of ice overnight.[1]
What parents should do right now
- Check your school first: school websites, text alerts, and official social channels usually update before council roundups.
- Confirm transport: buses may be cancelled even if a school opens.
- Watch for “delayed start” notices: some schools open later to allow gritting and daylight.
- Plan for slips: allow extra time and use gritted main routes where possible.
What to expect next
The pattern usually changes in two ways: either daytime temperatures rise enough to thaw routes (making reopening more likely), or overnight lows stay below freezing and closures continue—even if snowfall is lighter. Keep an eye on official weather updates and warnings, especially if you live in higher ground, rural routes, or coastal communities exposed to drifting snow.[1]
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Sources (official)
- Met Office (official update): Cold spell continues with further snow and ice warnings — metoffice.gov.uk
- NI Direct (official closure feed): School closures — nidirect.gov.uk
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