The days following Christmas Day will see unsettled weather across the UK, with some predictions suggesting snow could fall even as far south as London.
One weather map even placed snowfall in Southampton, on Britain’s south coast, although more conservative estimates do not predict this. Atlantic systems moving into the UK will cause unsettled conditions, with rain forecast for much of the country.
The northern regions are likely to see a deluge of the white stuff, meanwhile. Some patches in Scotland and northern England will reach 2-3cm, according to current estimates.
Weather maps from WXCharts show rain drenching the country alongside pockets of snow. It also suggests temperatures will drop as we get closer to 2024.
But the immediate days after Christmas are likely to be milder and wetter, Met Office predictions say.
“All areas” could see both windy and wet conditions, the weather agency says. However, the possibility of snow anywhere other than higher areas is “much more uncertain”.
“Following a possible brief, drier and less windy spell further Atlantic systems are expected to arrive across the UK,” the Met Office’s long-range forecast explains. “This will maintain broadly unsettled conditions through to the end of December and into early January,” it added.
Meanwhile, “windy spells” are to be expected alongside a substantial downpour.
The forecast adds: “Northern hills likely to see some snow at times, any snow at lower levels much more uncertain. Temperatures likely fluctuating around average with some milder spells in the south and rather cold at times in the north.”
The frontal system pushing wetter and milder temperatures will come from the south-west and move across the UK, the BBC’s weather forecast states. While it is “uncertain”, this could reach as far as Northern Ireland and southern Scotland.
It adds: “As the associated low pressure circulation slowly moves out into the North Sea it should pull colder air around it, with temperatures dropping a bit below average in many areas. There will be scattered showers, possibly wintry over hills in the south and at lower elevations in the north.”
This evening and tonight:
Generally windy and rather cloudy overnight. Rain mostly in the west, particularly persistent for north-west England and west Wales. Turning a little drier in the north later. Very mild for most, but feeling chilly across Shetland.
Sunday:
Cloudy Christmas Eve in the south with rain or drizzle. Brighter elsewhere with sunny spells and showers, heavy at times. Mild, but very windy – especially northern England and Scotland.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
An unsettled Christmas Day with rain and strong winds, plus snow over the mountains of Scotland. Calmer for Boxing Day with some sunshine, but rain returns for Wednesday.
