With temperatures unseasonably high at this time of year, the Met Office has broken their silence on whether or not there really will be a White Christmas this winter for the UK
The Met Office has broken its silence on whether or not the UK will see a White Christmas this year. In its long-range forecast for the next few weeks, all secrets were revealed.
Britain has been unseasonably mild for this time of year, with temperatures still breaking double figures, when they should around 8 or 9 degrees. It comes as the country continues to be hit with a barrage of storms that are coming from across the Atlantic.
But with the big day fast approaching, attention is now turning to how the weather will be when Christmas day hits in just over a week’s time. Now, the Met Office has revealed its long-term forecast for what the festive day could bring.
In its long-range forecast, the Met Office confirmed that some areas of the UK will see some snow. However, it will be sporadic and across only certain areas of the country, according to its website.
The full forecast reads: “Unsettled and generally mild at first with showers or longer spells of rain affecting the UK at times. Some heavy rain is possible anywhere, but it is likely to be heaviest and most persistent in the west and northwest, with sheltered parts of the east and southeast typically drier.
“Any snow will probably be confined to high ground in the north,” they added. “Strong winds are possible at times with a risk of gales, especially along coasts and over higher ground.”
Meteorologists added that during the Christmas period, conditions will become more settled and gradually we will see more wintry conditions, but not enough for a widespread blizzard. They predicted that drier weather could bring a higher chance of fog and frost overnight.
Ultimately, temperatures will start to fall down to where they should be at this time of year, but when the fog does start to linger, it may start to feel just a little bit nippy. After the Christmas period, things will start to calm down properly as high pressure takes control of our weather.
In the lead-up to the new year, there could be a strong likelihood of “dry weather compared to the winter so far”. The Met Office did warn of a potential for strong winds and heavy pockets of rain, but these will most be confined to the north of the country.
Some wintry showers could still hit northern areas, but will only really cover higher ground such as the hills and mountains. Temperatures are “expected to be close to normal”, the service added.
It comes as the UK is about to be pummelled by a series of weather systems that will slam into Scotland and Northern England over the coming days. With a southwesterly jet stream, several weather systems are due to fly up from the Caribbean, set to cause hassle for many living on the west coast of Britain.
Sunday and Monday (December 14 and 15) will see the worst of the weather, with amber warnings being put in place for the west of Scotland and Cumbria. Residents are now being told to prepare for potential flooding and rivers bursting their banks.
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