Residents of Wokingham, Reading, Winnersh, Earley and across Berkshire are asking the same question as winter grips the UK: are we likely to see snow and ice this coming week?

Here’s the latest from the Met Office and regional forecasts.

Cold conditions continue, but widespread snow unlikely

Across Berkshire, the current weather pattern shows cold temperatures lasting into the early part of the week, with highs often staying around freezing or just above and overnight lows dipping below zero. Local forecasts from Met Office reporting areas such as Living Rainforest and Pangbourne indicate daytime temperatures generally between 2–4°C, with overnight feels-like temperatures significantly lower due to frost. Snow chance at ground level is very low — typically under 5–10% — although isolated wintry showers cannot be entirely ruled out, particularly early in the morning or late at night.

What this means on the ground for places like Reading, Wokingham and Earley is that significant snow accumulation looks unlikely this week. Instead, frost and ice are the main concerns, especially on untreated surfaces in the early mornings. Roads and pavements could become slippery before sunrise, even without measurable snowfall.

Why snow isn’t a foregone conclusion in the south

Across the UK, weather warnings for snow and ice remain in force in a number of regions as Arctic air sweeps southward — but these are strongest in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. The Met Office has confirmed a network of Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice across much of the UK, but the depth and frequency of snow decreases the further south you go.

Southern and central England is forecast to experience very cold weather with potential wintry showers, but any snow is more likely at higher elevations or as brief, light flurries rather than substantive lying snow. If moisture or fronts move in at just the right time, there could be brief snow showers, but confidence in widespread snow in Berkshire remains low at present.

Ice — the bigger hazard this week

While a snowy scene would make for striking photos, the greater concern for Berkshire this week is ice. Even with limited snowfall, sub-zero overnight temperatures mean frost and black ice are likely, especially during the dark hours. This can make driving and walking treacherous, particularly on untreated roads and paths.

Forecast guidance suggests wintry showers remain possible through midweek, but daytime temperatures then rise gradually later in the week, increasing the likelihood of rain rather than snow by Thursday and Friday.

What to watch for

– Frost and ice each morning: likely across Berkshire, especially Tuesday and Wednesday.

– Brief wintry showers possible in parts of the week, but not heavy snow.

Demand for workspaces in Berkshire surged in 2025, with new data showing increased use in Reading and Slough.

Figures from International Workplace Group (IWG) reveal that office and co‑working locations across Berkshire saw usage rise by around 30% last year.

IWG said the trend reflects increasing demand from workers travelling between London Heathrow and the Thames Valley, which is one of the UK’s largest hubs for technology and professional services.

The rise in Berkshire mirrors a wider national shift away from long daily commutes, with workers favouring transport‑linked sites that offer greater convenience. Across the UK, visits to such locations increased by an average of 33%.

Growth was also recorded along major motorway corridors, like the M4, M25, M3 and M5.

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IWG, which owns brands such as Regus and Spaces, tracked attendance using wifi log‑ins across its UK network.

IWG’s founder and chief executive Mark Dixon said: “Companies of all sizes are embracing more flexible ways of working for the long-term, empowering their people to work from locations that are most convenient to them and their lifestyles and at the same time boosting company productivity.

“As a result, we’re seeing a fundamental shift in the geography of work, with demand moving towards more local and accessible locations including travel hubs.

“Hybrid working has fundamentally changed how people think about where work gets done.

“Increasingly, professionals are choosing locations that fit around their journeys and lifestyles – whether that’s near a motorway, train station, airport or flexible workspace closer to home – allowing them to stay productive wherever they are and while on the move.”

Keir Starmer visited Reading to set out action to tackle the cost of living, including a major rail ticket sale offering millions of discounted journeys across Britain.

The Great British Rail Sale, which starts on January 6, includes nearly four million tickets at more than 50 per cent off for travel between January 13 and March 25, 2026.

The scheme offers significant savings for Berkshire residents travelling from Reading to destinations across the UK, such as Aberdeen, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

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The Prime Minister said: "Everyone knows that groan when the price of your train ticket goes up again – a chunk out the paypackets of hard-working people.

"That’s why we’re freezing fares and unlocking millions of bargain tickets, so more money stays in people’s pockets.

"It’s good news for Berkshire’s high streets and local businesses too – affordable public transport brings in customers and helps families enjoy time together.

"Growing up, our family couldn't always make ends meet.

"I know every pound matters, and this year I am going further to tackle the cost of living and bring down costs for families."

The ticket sale is part of the Government’s broader efforts to tackle living costs, which also include cheaper childcare, energy bill support, and a freeze on regulated rail fares – the first in 30 years.

The fare freeze applies to season tickets and commuter returns, saving passengers £600 million in 2026/27 compared to last year.

For regular commuters, the freeze means that an annual season ticket holder travelling from Reading to London will save £340 per year.

Last year’s rail sale saw more than one million discounted tickets sold, saving travellers an average of £8 per journey and generating £9 million in revenue for the rail industry.

This year’s sale covers nearly all train operators.

One-way tickets during the sale period include Aberdeen to Reading for £146 (down from £292), Newcastle to Reading for £123 (from £247), and Edinburgh to Reading for £123 (from £245).

Shorter journeys are also included, with Oxford to Reading from £9.50, Reading to Southampton from £9.20, and Bournemouth to Reading from £10.80.

Reading station is one of the UK’s busiest outside London, with around 13 million passenger entries and exits recorded in the most recent figures from the Office of Rail and Road.

The Government has also allocated £9.4 million to improve local bus services, supporting further investment in greener travel options.

Cheaper and more reliable public transport is expected to boost economic growth by supporting commuting, leisure travel, and town centre footfall.

The Government has also confirmed plans to bring train operators, including Great Western Railway, into public ownership in a bid to reduce costs for passengers and improve value for money over the long term.

A snow and ice warning has been given for much of the UK, with parts of West Berkshire now expected to be impacted.

The most recent Met Office yellow warning covers areas northwest of Reading, at the foot of the Berkshire downs.

Villages like Upper Lambourn, as well as others on the Berkshire-Oxfordshire and Berkshire-Wiltshire border, are covered by the warning.

The newest warnings also cover much of the UK, with only parts of the southeast and north of England expected to be unaffected.

A band of snow showers is forecast to move south on Sunday evening and continue into the early hours of Monday. Some areas could see 1–3 cm of snow, enough to create a light covering on roads, pavements, and open spaces.

Because temperatures will remain low overnight, ice is likely to form on surfaces, making travel conditions potentially slippery for people travelling early on Monday.

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Further snow showers are expected to develop across eastern England on Monday morning, bringing the chance of more disruption.

The warning being classed as yellow means it has a medium likelihood and a low impact.

The Met Office urge travellers to stay safe by planning their journeys in advance and allowing extra time to travel.

Anyone heading out should also check for road closures or disruptions to public transport and adjust their plans where needed.

Drivers are also advised to keep a few essentials in their vehicles in case of delays.

Warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de‑icer, a warning triangle, a high‑visibility vest and an in‑car phone charger can all be useful in these conditions.

Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), has been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal in the 2026 New Year Honours for his exceptional leadership and long-standing commitment to fire and rescue services.

Mr Bowcock, who became Chief Fire Officer in June 2021, has spent 33 years in the fire sector and will retire in March 2026. During his tenure, he oversaw major improvements in the delivery of services across Berkshire and guided the Service through a highly regarded national inspection.

Under his leadership, RBFRS implemented the 2023–2027 Community Risk Management Plan, which outlines strategies to protect local residents while maintaining high standards across all areas of service. In the most recent inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services, the Service was rated ‘good’ in eight of 11 areas inspected.

Beyond Berkshire, Mr Bowcock contributed at a national level through the National Fire Chiefs Council, serving as Leadership Development Strategic Lead and as a trustee, promoting governance and leadership across the sector.

Reflecting on the award, he said:

“It is an incredible honour and very humbling to be recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours List. I owe huge thanks to my family and colleagues across the country. I have spent my career focusing on serving and leading with care, and I hope this recognition inspires others to public service and people-focused leadership.”

Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, added:

“Wayne has been an excellent Chief of our Service and throughout his many years providing public service to the community, he has demonstrated superb service and commitment. He will leave a profound and lasting mark on the Service.”