UK weather forecast: White Christmas on the cards as Met Office says chance of snowfall in London
Snowfall has been forecast for some parts of the UK over the Christmas weekend, with the potential for a White Christmas, the Met Office has said.
There is a “small chance” of snow in London.
The most northern parts of Scotland are set for sunshine with some snow showers over December 25 and 26.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, the far north of England and Northern Ireland meteorologists predict the chance of early rain and snow but say the weather will be cold and windy during the festive period.
It's all change on the #weather front as we head into the #Christmas period. Here are the details: pic.twitter.com/vDW5xQxb1C
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 21, 2021
In England, there is a chance of some hill snow - with the weather being mostly with rain.
London and the south of England is forecast to turn colder and winder on Christmas Day, with some rain and a slight chance of snow.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “There is a chance that we could see some snow over London, but that is currently a small chance.”
Gales are expected in coastal areas.
Over the course of the weekend, it will become brighter but the cold weather will set in in the north of England.
Helen Caughey, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “With colder air meeting milder air over the UK, the specific details of the forecast for Christmas Day are still a little uncertain.
“Milder air moves north-east over much of the country by the middle of the week, with spells of rain for most at times, which will turn to snow over higher ground in northern Scotland initially.
“The boundary between the milder and colder air is then forecast to sink south later on Christmas Eve and through Christmas Day, introducing colder, clearer conditions for some.
“However exactly where this boundary gets to is hard to pin down at the moment, and is key as to where can expect any snow over Christmas.”
The Met Office defines a White Christmas to be at least one snowflake observed falling in the 24 hours of Christmas Day, somewhere in the UK.
On average, just over half of all Christmas Days in the UK turn out to be defined as a White Christmas.