Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jacob Rawley & David Clark

Snow set for Christmas weekend as weather sees temperatures dip in Arctic blast

Brits can expect snow this Christmas in parts of Scotland but there is still some uncertainty where exactly it will fall in the UK over the festive period.

While areas of the country are forecast to have milder weather over the weekend, northern parts of the UK could yet be cold enough to have a chance of snow settling on Christmas Day.

After the recent cold snap, temperatures across the country have risen sharply to dampen hopes of a White Christmas in many areas.

But parts of Scotland have continued to experience snowy conditions and the latest Met Office forecast does not rule out similar weather over the weekend festive season.

According to the national Meteorological experts, a White Christmas involves "one snowflake to be observed falling in the 24 hours of 25 December somewhere in the UK."

Mild conditions are expected in southern areas this Christmas (WXCharts)

Maps from WXCharts show that there could be 15 centimetres of snow on Christmas Day in northern Scotland and on Boxing Day there could be also be flurries in northern England and Wales.

Temperatures will be close to zero in Scotland, according to the charts on December 25, but could be in high single figures in southern England.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said that colder air is again coming down from the Arctic over the weekend.

He stated: "The jet stream remains close to the UK meaning low pressures will move in from the Atlantic, orange on the map meaning fairly mild at the moment but if we run the sequence through over the next few days we might see some colder air trying to push down from the north.

"This may introduce some colder air across central parts and northern parts as we enter the Christmas weekend."

Forecasters expect northern parts of the UK to be 'wintery' this weekend (Clive Postlethwaite/REX/Shutterstock)

He added: “Some uncertainty where colder and milder air will lie”

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said that the chance of their being snow in the south of the country isn't high at the moment.

"From mid-week we expect to see a north/south split develop with colder weather arriving in the north, while the south hangs onto the mild conditions," he said.

"There are, however, large uncertainties concerning where the boundary between these two air masses will eventually end up, especially as we head into the Christmas weekend.

"Uncertainty in the weather forecast details is not unusual at 6-7 days out, and the current weather patterns are heightening those uncertainties.

"Confidence in the forecast is unlikely to increase until mid-week at the earliest and a range of outcomes are still possible.

UK 5 day weather forecast

Today

Rain clearing most of the south-east by lunchtime. Blustery showers continuing in the north but becoming dry with sunny spells further south. Mild in the south but temperatures near normal elsewhere.

Tonight

Showers continue in the north. A few fog patches in south, before thicker cloud and rain spread in from the west. Rain heavy at times across central areas.

Thursday

Bright or sunny spells, with showers in the north sinking slowly south to reach Northern Ireland and northern England by afternoon. Cloudier in south with outbreaks of rain.

Friday to Sunday

Mild across the south for much of the period with rain at times but also some sunshine. Colder in the north with some snow possible, mainly for Scottish hills.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.