The Met Office has issued an update on whether or not Greater Manchester can expect a white Christmas this year.
Temperatures have become a lot more mild in recent days, following a cold snap with lows of -8C in some areas last week. But double figures have been reached again this week, bringing with it sunshine and rain instead of frost and snow.
Having snow on Christmas Day really makes the festive season magical. After all, who doesn't love waking up to discover a blanket of the white stuff covering your garden?
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According to the Met Office, 'cold air and wintry conditions' will most likely be confined to the north of the UK on Christmas Day. Meanwhile in the south, the weather will be mild with a risk of rain or showers.
So with the potential of wintry conditions on the way, could Greater Manchester see a white Christmas this year? Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge told the Manchester Evening News: “The definition of a white Christmas is for a single snowflake to be observed falling in the UK.
"On the big day we have a weather pattern becoming established with milder air dominating the south of the UK and colder conditions further north. The challenge with the forecast is defining the exact location for the boundary between these two air masses."
He continued: "Currently the forecast is still subject to some uncertainty for Sunday but the boundary is likely to contain a mix of rain, sleet and snow with the wintry elements most likely over higher ground. There is no signal for heavy snow, especially at lower elevations.
"In the North West, the most likely locations to see snow are the higher parts of the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.”
So, by definition, Manchester could be in for a white Christmas this year - but it's very unlikely to be the thick blanket of snow you'd be hoping for on the special day.
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