Met Office updates UK snow risk in run-up to Christmas Day as Gloucestershire faces imminent freeze

Two words are on everybody's lips at this time of year as the festive season approaches and the temperature falls - White Christmas. Hopes of a blanket of snow to wake up to on the big day are hard-wired into many Brits.

And the Met Office has now published its long-range weather forecast for the UK which goes up to the day itself, December 25. The weather experts' forecast which says snow could fall in mid-December, comes in the wake of chillier temperatures after Storm Bert brought flooding to large parts of the country, including here in Gloucestershire.

A Storm Conall weather warning for parts of southern England - from the south east to the West Country - for rain is in place until noon today. While in Gloucestershire, which is not in the warning zone, is due to face a possible overnight low of -6C from tonight (Wednesday, November 27) into Thursday - temperatures will climb to 5C on Thursday and be in highs of double figures by Friday.

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Looking for period from Wednesday, December 11 to Wednesday, December 25, the Met Office says: "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."

Storm Conall

Half a month’s worth of rain may hit parts of southern England on Wednesday morning as Storm Conall swoops in. Up to 50mm could fall across the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent, according to a yellow rain warning issued by the Met Office.

Around 15-20mm of rain is widely expected in the warning areas, which also cover London and the South West, while some places could get up to 30-40mm. Some travel disruption and flooding of “a few homes and businesses” is likely.

The average rainfall for November in southern England is 87.1mm. On the Isle of Wight, the average is 107.2mm, while it is 106mm in Sussex and 82.6mm in Kent.

The latest storm, called Conall, is the third of the season and was named by the Dutch Weather Service, which along with the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland name storms so communication about severe weather is easier.

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Storm Bert

The latest storm comes just days after Storm Bert left hundreds of homes flooded, turned roads into rivers and saw winds of more than 80mph. There were 93 flood warnings (which mean flooding is expected) and more than 128 flood alerts still in place across the UK on Tuesday evening.

A severe flood warning, meaning there is danger to life, was still in place for Billing Aquadrome holiday park and the surrounding parks next to the River Nene in Northampton. Chris Wilding, of the Environment Agency, said “significant flooding impacts” are probable in parts of Northamptonshire, with “minor” flooding on the River Severn.

Conditions are not expected to worsen in Yorkshire and the West Midlands over the next few days. Additional minor river and surface water flooding is also “probable” in parts of the south and east of England from late on Tuesday and through Wednesday, Mr Wilding said.

Gloucestershire area flood warnings on Wednesday morning

• River Avon at Strensham and Bredon

• River Avon at Twyning

• River Avon at Wyre Piddle

• River Severn at Abbots Court, Deerhurst

• River Severn at Apperley and The Leigh

• River Severn at Bushley

• River Severn at Chaceley and Haw Bridge

• River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury

• River Severn at Tewkesbury

• River Thames from Calcutt to Lechlade including Hannington Wick

• Wye Estuary at Brockweir

Met Office West Country weather forecast

Today : A damp start to the morning especially in the east, but then slowly turning drier and brighter from the west as the day progresses. Remaining on the chilly side, with winds falling light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

Tonight : Staying largely dry overnight with clear spells allowing mist and fog to develop, becoming dense in the east. Chilly under clear skies with patchy frost. Some rain affecting Cornwall later. Minimum temperature 2 °C.

Thursday : Another chilly start, with fog stubborn to clear in the east. Some bright spells, though thicker cloud and patchy rain in the far west extending slowly eastwards during the day. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday : Often cloudy, with the best of any sunshine in the east. Some rain is possible at times, especially in the west and locally heavy. Turning milder into the weekend.