The Met Office has delivered its eagerly anticipated forecast for Christmas Day, predicting a significant drop in temperatures that raises the prospect of festive snow flurries for some parts of the UK.
A Chilly Christmas Day Forecast
Forecasters state that maximum temperatures on December 25 will struggle to reach just 5-7C (41-44.6F) across the country. This marks a stark contrast to the unseasonably mild conditions experienced recently, where daytime highs of 12C have been more typical of October than late December.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna highlighted that the cold will be accentuated by wind, making it feel even chillier. He specifically pointed to the south coast of England as having the greatest chance of seeing isolated wintry showers on Christmas Day itself.
Will It Be a White Christmas?
According to the official Met Office definition, a 'White Christmas' requires just one snowflake to be observed falling anywhere in the UK on December 25. This last occurred in 2023. However, significant, settling snow remains unlikely this year.
Mr Petagna tempered expectations, noting: "In terms of the showers that we’re looking at, there’s a chance of a bit of sleet or wet snow falling, rather than any significant accumulations." For most areas, the day will be characterised by dry but chilly conditions, with the best of any brightness in western and north-western regions.
The last widespread White Christmas with substantial snowfall across the nation was in 2010, when 80% of weather stations reported snow on the ground.
Cold Spell to Last Beyond Christmas
The colder, drier weather pattern is expected to persist through the festive period and up to New Year's Eve. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly explained that the current spell of unsettled and wet weather will be replaced by a high-pressure system, bringing more settled conditions.
This shift introduces new risks, as Mr Kelly highlighted the potential for overnight frost and fog patches where skies clear. The high pressure is forecast to remain over the British Isles in the run-up to the New Year, prolonging the chilly and frosty conditions.
Before the cold snap fully sets in, the Environment Agency has issued 25 'act now' flood warnings, primarily for the south and southwest of England, including parts of Dorset. Warnings are also in place for the River Derwent near York and Keswick Campsite in the Lake District following recent heavy downpours.
