New Met Office forecast gives first prediction on weather up to Christmas Eve

There's nothing more magical than the London skyline covered in snow - particularly at Christmas. Sadly, in recent years, the capital has barely seen a few snowflakes, let alone a blanket of white on the skyscrapers.

But, with some unexpected snow falling last week, hopes for a white Christmas are rising. A long-range forecast published by the Met Office yesterday (November 25) revealed mid-December's weather is looking "unsettled."

Officials say this will bring wet and windy periods, as well as a risk of 'some snow'. This is particularly true for the hills in the North of the UK.

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They say these conditions may prevail into late December, with the data predicting possible frosty conditions right up to Christmas Eve. However, they do also insist drier spells may affect the country, particularly the south - meaning it's unlikely that London will be getting a white Christmas.

The forecast (December 10-December 24) reads: "The start of this period looks like being largely settled, with high pressure close to if not over the UK. However, as we move towards mid-December, there are signs that it will become less settled with west or north-westerly types preferred.

"These will bring some wetter and windier interludes with a risk of some snow, especially for hills in the north. These conditions may prevail into late December, although drier, more settled spells may also affect the UK at times, these probably more likely towards the south. Temperatures generally close to average through the period."

Data from forecast company Accuweather shows that temperatures will likely reach 0C on December 25 but it will not snow. The city will instead by faced by rain, cloudy weather, and 7km/h winds.

The Met Office defines a white Christmas as when at least one snowflake is observed at one or more of its 11 reporting stations on Christmas Day. This technically happened last year but only 11 per cent of the UK reported snowfall.

On average, snow only lies for three days in December. We're much more likely to see flakes in January and February due to plummeting winter temperatures and climate change.

The last widespread white Christmas in the UK was in 2010 when the Met Office recorded snow on the ground at 83 per cent of stations - but this did not include London. With temperatures typically higher here than in the countryside, the capital has officially had only six white Christmases since 1960.

The last was in 1999 - a whole 25 years ago- so heavy snow in London this year would be one for the history books. Mark Sidaway, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Certainty will tend to increase as we get closer to the time, and the best indication of impactful snow in the forecast would be when a Met Office national severe weather warning is issued.”

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