UK snow forecast reveals 16 counties battered as Met Office warns of ‘wintry hazards’

Will it be a white Christmas? Temperatures are set to plummet before Christmas with 16 counties in England and Wales seeing snow flurries while Scotland could see up to nine inches

Brits are bracing for a sharp drop in temperatures and up to nine inches of snowfall, with 16 counties across England and Wales set to be affected, and Scotland also preparing for the icy onslaught. The nation is currently grappling with strong winds and heavy rainfall courtesy of Storm Bram.

As this severe weather system recedes later in the week, it will usher in unexpectedly mild conditions with temperatures reaching up to 16C. However, the week leading up to Christmas is predicted to see temperatures plunge below zero as an Arctic blast hits.

Weather maps indicate low pressure systems sweeping into the UK throughout most of December, bringing unsettled conditions.

It’s when these systems collide with cold Arctic air around December 19 that widespread snowfall is expected. On Friday, December 19, temperatures across the country are forecast to hover around zero, potentially dropping to -1C in central Scotland, reports the Mirror.

WXCharts’ maps predict snowfall extending as far south as Devon in southwest England, with flurries likely to disrupt travel on December 20.

16 counties in England and Wales are forecast to experience snowfall on December 19: Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Caernarfonshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, Radnorshire, Herefordshire, Brecknockshire, Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Devon, and Somerset.

While the snowfall in these areas is not expected to exceed a few centimetres, the west coast of Scotland is set for heavier snow. On December 20, the western regions of Scotland could see snow depths of up to 23cm or nine inches.

The Met Office’s forecast for December 14-23 indicates that weather systems from the Atlantic are set to influence this month’s climate, with a potential drop in temperatures later in the month increasing the likelihood of “wintry hazards”.

The national weather service explains: “A continuation of a similar pattern to that seen through early December is anticipated, especially at first, as frontal systems from the Atlantic spread into and across the UK, interspersed with some temporary drier interludes.

“These will bring spells of rain, which may be heavy at times leading to the risk of some impacts given how wet it has been lately, especially in the west. In addition, there is also potential for some periods of strong winds at times too.

“Whilst it will often be mild, later in the period there may be a slight downward trend in temperature, especially across northern parts of the UK, and the chance of drier spells increases.

“There may also be a slightly higher chance of some wintry hazards at times in the north.”

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