Lancaster, Lancashire, is facing a blast of harsh winter weather on Thursday, 5 February 2026, with impacts expected to continue into Friday, 6 February, as high winds and heavy rain move into the region. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain on 5 February and forecasts wind gusts up to 44 mph, with “feels like” temperatures falling as low as -2°C.
The storm is expected to create difficult conditions for drivers on the M6 motorway and on bridges over the River Lune. To help keep traffic moving, Lancashire County Council has prepared its gritting fleet — it can mobilise up to 58 gritters — to treat priority routes including the A6 and the A683 (Caton Road).
Public‑health bodies caution that sudden drops in temperature increase risks for older and vulnerable residents. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides cold‑weather guidance, though its Cold‑Health Alert dashboard showed no active alert for the North West as of 30 January 2026; reporters should check the dashboard for any later changes. Meanwhile, the Environment Agency is monitoring river levels on the River Lune to guard against possible flooding in low‑lying areas such as St Georges Quay.
This weather system is part of the 2025/26 storm season, which — after earlier named storms this season — has left much of the ground around Lancashire saturated. Local families are being encouraged to secure any loose items in gardens and to plan for possible travel delays during the morning and evening commutes.
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