Britons hoping for a festive dusting of snow are set for disappointment this Christmas, with forecasters instead warning of strong winds and a significant drop in temperatures. Weather and health authorities have issued separate yellow alerts for Christmas Day, highlighting risks from gusty conditions and the cold.
Dual Warnings for Wind and Cold
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has activated a yellow cold health alert for South West England. It is scheduled to run from 6pm on Thursday, 25 December, until noon on Friday, 27 December. This alert indicates that the chilly conditions are likely to impact health and social care services, potentially leading to increased demand from vulnerable individuals and presenting a greater risk to life.
Concurrently, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind, covering a similar area in South West England and much of Wales. This warning is in effect from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day itself.
Disruptive Winds and Icy Nights Forecast
According to the Met Office, strong and gusty east to north-easterly winds will develop throughout Christmas Day. The forecast predicts widespread gusts of 45-55 mph, with the potential for 55-65 mph gusts along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills. Forecasters have noted that the unusual wind direction could lead to disruption to transport and power supplies. Large waves are also expected to pose an additional hazard along some coastlines.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon provided further detail, stating that while Christmas Day would begin brightly in southern England and Wales, the strengthening wind would be a notable feature. "It could be quite gusty there," he told the Press Association. He confirmed that high pressure is now in control across the UK, bringing settled but cooler conditions.
On temperatures, Mr Claydon said the highest values on Christmas Day would be around 7°C in North East England and 6°C in the south or South East. He warned that frost and freezing temperatures are likely in western rural areas overnight into Boxing Day, with minus 6°C possible in rural Scotland and minus 4°C in rural Wales.
White Christmas Hopes Dashed
For those dreaming of a white Christmas, defined by the Met Office as a single snowflake falling in the 24 hours of 25 December, the news is not good. Mr Claydon described the prospect as "highly unlikely." He explained that the weather picture is very dry, with only a slim chance of a band of rain skirting the Channel potentially clipping the South West of England. "The chances of any snow falling out of that are very low," he concluded.
Residents and travellers in the affected regions are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts and warnings, and to take necessary precautions against the windy conditions and cold snap during the festive period.
