Met Office issues Christmas snow verdict and says 'there is a risk'

Snow could fall in some parts of the UK during the Christmas period, the Met Office has said. Looking ahead to December, the forecaster predicted there could be a 'risk of some snow'.

There are signs December will see some 'wetter and windier spells', along with snow in northern parts of Britain. Drier conditions are anticipated for the south of the country.

It comes after Storm Bert battered many parts of the UK, bringing snow showers, heavy downpours and strong winds. In its long-range forecast for Sunday, December 1, to Tuesday, December 10, the Met Office said: "Starting mainly unsettled, with showers or longer spells of rain for many parts of the UK.

READ MORE: DVLA urgent car tax warning over simple error affecting thousands

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

"It will also be quite windy, especially towards the north and west. It will be mild, although the strong winds will make it feel rather cold.

"High pressure then looks like building close to or over the UK through early December. This will result in drier but also probably generally slightly cooler conditions, and increase the risk of overnight frost and fog.

"The largely dry, settled theme is likely to be punctuated by brief unsettled and milder spells though, with areas of low pressure crossing the UK, bringing some spells of wind and rain. Temperatures overall generally near average, but rather cold where any fog persists."

Looking further ahead, the Met Office said there are signs of less settled conditions arriving. In its long-range forecast for Wednesday, December 11, to Wednesday, December 25, the Met Office said: "The start of this period looks like being largely settled, with high pressure close to if not over the UK.

"However, towards mid-December, there are signs that it will become less settled with west or northwesterly types preferred. These will bring some wetter and windier spells 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."