The Met Office has published its long-range forecast for the Christmas period with snow, fog and frost possible during the school holidays and peak travel time as temperatures plunge to -6C
Snow has been predicted for parts of the UK during Christmas week, with temperatures expected to plummet dramatically. The weather agency warns that snow, fog and frost could occur between December 20 and January 2, coinciding with the school holidays for the festive period and the busiest time for both domestic and international travel.
Temperatures are forecast to feel as bitter as -6C in Aberdeenshire, with even the Welsh Valleys experiencing lows of -2C in the coming days. This cold spell is anticipated to persist – intermittently – right through to the Christmas period, according to the Met Office’s newly released long-range forecast, the Mirror reports.
“This period is likely to be changeable, with further spells of rain or showers and some strong winds at times, especially in the west and northwest. Hill snow is also a possibility, mainly in the north,” states the forecast on the Met Office website.
Whilst it remains too premature for the Met Office to provide a precise forecast for Christmas Day specifically, the timeframe encompasses December 25, and odds tumbled last week for a white Christmas. William Hill currently offers evens for snow in Aberdeen, and just 5/4 for a white Christmas in Edinburgh.
Newcastle stands as the most probable English city to witness snowfall on December 25 at 6/4. The Met Office has warned that colder spells could be on the horizon.
This prediction is supported by weather maps from meteorologists at Metdesk, which suggest a gradual decrease in temperatures as the month progresses.
On Thursday, Gosport, Hampshire enjoyed a mild 11C, but by Monday morning, most places across the UK will feel like they’re freezing. Although the actual air temperature will be higher, a strong southwesterly wind will make it feel much colder.
Coastal areas in north Wales and Devon could experience gust speeds of up to 60mph. Clarifying the definition of a “white Christmas”, the Met Office states: “A single snowflake has to be observed falling on the 24 hours of 25 December, by either an official Met Office observer or by a Met Office automated weather station. This is because it needs to be officially verified both for our climate records, and also to provide consistency and certainty.”
Bookmakers are optimistic about the chances of a white Christmas this year, particularly following the Met Office’s latest long-range forecast, which predicts several snow showers, especially in northern regions and on higher ground.
Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill, commented: “The UK public seem to dream for a White Christmas every year and in 2025 we give Aberdeen the best chance of seeing snow at Evens. Newcastle is the likeliest English city to get snowfall on the 25th at 6/4, ahead of Leeds (5/2), with London an outside chance at 6/1.”
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