Britons are set to experience a crisp and blustery Christmas Day, with forecasters predicting a mix of sunshine and biting winds across the nation. While a white Christmas remains unlikely for most, the festive period will feel notably cold due to a significant wind chill factor.
Chilly Winds and Frosty Mornings Dominate Festive Forecast
The Met Office has issued guidance that brisk easterly winds, strengthening from Christmas Eve, will sweep across the country. These winds, particularly potent across southern regions, will make temperatures feel close to freezing, even though thermometers may read slightly below the seasonal average of 6C or 7C.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell explained the conditions, stating: "It will turn colder from Christmas Eve, with a strong wind across much of England and Wales... when you add on that wind chill of an easterly wind, it will probably feel more like freezing from Christmas Eve onwards." Many will wake up to a frosty Christmas morning as overnight temperatures are forecast to plummet below zero widely, with northern Scotland potentially seeing lows of minus 5C.
Sunshine for Most, But Rain and Rough Seas for Some
Despite the chill, the forecast for December 24th and 25th is largely positive for those hoping for dry weather. Most areas can expect dry and sunny conditions, though eastern parts will likely see more cloud. The main disruption will come from the wind, which is predicted to generate significant waves, posing a consideration for traditional Boxing Day swimmers planning a festive dip.
While forecasters are not predicting a widespread white Christmas, there remains a very small chance of snow falling over Dartmoor. This possibility is linked to afternoon rain showers pushing into parts of Devon and Cornwall on Christmas Day itself.
A Settled but Cold End to the Year
Looking ahead to Boxing Day and beyond, the weather pattern is set to remain consistent. Clouds may build in some southern counties, but elsewhere it should stay largely dry with sunny spells. The Met Office indicates that this colder-than-average but not unusual weather is expected to continue through the Christmas period and out towards New Year's Eve.
Ms Mitchell summarised the outlook, noting, "The weather's all very similar really, out towards New Year's Eve. The Christmas period is quite a nice forecast." So, while scarves and gloves will be essential, those hoping for festive sunshine are largely in luck.
