Snow could be set to hit the UK around Christmas and the New Year with the potential for a white Christmas – but we’re still too far out for the Met Office and other forecasters to be able to make super accurate predictions.
However, Brits should be prepared for a chilly festive season this year, according to the Met Office.
Its long-range forecast from Friday, December 20 to Sunday, December 29, reveals Brits are in for windy and wet conditions, with the potential for snow in certain areas.
Colder temperatures and changes of precipitation could mean some parts of the country on higher ground could be blasted by an Arctic freeze.
The Met Office forecast says: “After a mainly dry start on Friday, a band of showery rain is likely to move southeastwards across the UK.”
It adds: “Beyond this, it will remain changeable through the rest of the period. The wettest and windiest conditions will probably be in the north, with spells of heavy rain at times as low pressure systems pass by.
“Further south, whilst some unsettled weather is likely at times, it will probably be drier overall with a greater influence of high pressure.”
It also said that there will be some “colder interludes”, despite temperatures hovering around the average for this time of the year for the most part.
Experts predict that snow will be “most likely restricted to higher ground”, however, it could fall temporarily at “lower levels in the north” during icy spells.
Looking towards the New Year, the Met Office forecast from New Year’s Eve until Tuesday, January 14, says there will be “spells of wet and windy weather” but it will mostly be drier.
By New Year, temperatures will sit around average, with the south feeling milder conditions.
Snow is possible during any colder periods, especially in the north.
The Met Office said the last widespread white Christmas in the UK was in 2010 which was “extremely unusual”.
Snow on the ground was recorded at 83 percent of stations.
The definition of a white Christmas is when one snowflake falls onto the ground on Christmas day, anywhere in the UK.
The highest chances for snow will be in the north of England and up into Scotland, the south of England will see “unsettled” weather but will mostly see drier weather over the next week.
