Unusually high temperatures for the time of year are expected on Christmas Day – with ‘no snow or frost’ in sight all day, and no weather warnings expected to disrupt any journeys
Brits hoping for a white Christmas are instead waking up to a green one, with “dry and cloudy” weather and “no snow or frost” expected at any point today, the Met Office has said.
Forecasters say “exceptionally mild” temperatures seen on Christmas Eve will likely continue until closer to the new year. Highs of 13C are expected in the southwest, whilst the typically coldest regions in Scotland and the north will only be slightly cooler, hovering between 10-12C on Christmas Day.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said this year will be a “green Christmas” as no snow or frost is expected anywhere in the country, adding that the absence of weather warnings means travellers should expect smooth journeys. He said: “Great news if you do have travel plans over the next few days, no weather warnings are expected, no disruptive weather – but, as I say, not great news if you want a festive feel and certainly no snow or frost on the way.
“Certainly no snow expected anywhere in the UK – so it will be a green Christmas.”
By Wednesday afternoon, temperatures in the southwest, including in Exeter and Plymouth, will reach 13C, while London, Reading and Southampton, as well as Cardif and Swansea in Wales will hit highs of 12C. The rest of the country, including the midlands, north and Scotland, will hover around the 10-11C mark.
Mr Morgan added: “Christmas Eve has been very mild – we haven’t broken any records, but we did see a high temperature today of 14.8C in Aberdeen, which is exceptionally mild for Christmas Eve. It’s going to stay very similar through the Christmas period, so Christmas Day will dawn cloudy and very mild once again. If you live across northern Scotland, it’s going to be quite windy with gales in the far north and some rain.”
The absence of snow on Christmas Day won’t be compensated by much sunshine, as skies across the country are expected to remain overcast, with just a few exceptions. Mr Morgan said: “Most places will have a dry and cloudy day. A few places will see a few glimmers of sunshine, but you’ll be fairly lucky to see much brightness on Christmas Day.”
“Glimmers of brightness” will be seen in a few more places on Boxing Day, he added. “Boxing Day will be very similar – it’s another cloudy and mild day, with a few glimmers of brightness, particularly in north east England and the Midlands. Some places in northern Scotland like the Shetland Isles should see some sunshine.”
This milder weather is likely to remain until January 30, when colder and rainier weather will start to settle across the UK. Mr Morgan added: “Not a lot changes through the rest of this week and indeed this weekend, but as we move towards the New Year, we could see a change to cooler conditions and wetter conditions more widely.
“There could be some heavy rain at times and there is an increasing chance of some snow – but it’s too early to say where that snow is going to fall.”
