Scotland experienced a sharp spell of wintry weather in mid-February after a cold Arctic Maritime air mass pushed south across the UK. On 13 February 2026, the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency issued snow and ice warnings covering parts of Scotland and northern England, with forecasters warning of accumulating snow and icy conditions.
The Met Office said the Arctic Maritime air mass was bringing colder and more unstable weather from the north of Scotland southwards. Snow showers and freezing temperatures persisted for several days as the cold air remained in place.
By the night of 17 February, temperatures fell to –9 °C in parts of north-east Scotland, reflecting the intensity of the cold spell.
This image, acquired on 17 February 2026 by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites during a period of low cloud cover, shows extensive areas of Scotland covered by snow. Large stretches of the country appear bright under the winter covering, offering a clear view of the snow extent from space.
In the days that followed, weather patterns shifted. By 22 February, milder south-westerly winds were forecast to bring temperatures into the teens in parts of the UK, marking a change from the sub-zero nights recorded earlier in the month.
Open data from the Copernicus satellite programme support the mapping of snow extent worldwide, providing information for weather services, climate research and environmental assessments.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery
