Snow is set to move across Europe towards the UK on Christmas Day, weather maps show, with more freezing conditions on the way – and some areas could be blanketed
Brits could be in for a freezing Christmas this year, with unsettling conditions set to continue over the next few days.
The latest weather maps from WXCharts, which uses MetDesk data, show snow moving across Europe over the UK from the east on Christmas Day. Based on the latest predictions, some mountainous areas across Scotland, northern England and Wales, could be blanketed on December 25.
The maps show snowfall spreading around the country from the south towards the north throughout the day, arriving in Scotland in the late afternoon. The weather front could bring back memories of the famous Beast From The East in 2018, when an air mass from Siberia caused unusually heavy snowfall and bitterly cold air, with some areas dropping as low as -14C.
READ MORE: UK snow forecast for Christmas as BBC and Met Office reveal latest predictions
The Met Office hasn’t confirmed yet whether they expect snow on Christmas Day, but their long-range forecast says unsettled conditions are set to continue for a few more days. From Saturday, December 20 to Monday, December 29, rain or showers, accompanied by windy conditions, could hit the UK. The Met Office said that in the run-up to Christmas, there is “a greater chance of high pressure developing in the vicinity of the UK compared to the previous few weeks.”
The forecast reads: “Whilst the chance of impactful rain or strong winds should reduce, there may be an increasing incidence of overnight frost and fog, the latter perhaps taking its time to clear, given the time of year. A gradual reduction in temperatures seems likely, falling closer to average overall. Some cold days are possible, if or where any fog persists.”
Towards the end of December and beginning of January, Brits are likely to experience dry, settled weather, with low temperatures on the cards, forecasters said. The Met Office’s long-range forecast from Tuesday, December 30 to Tuesday, January 13 reads: “High pressure will probably be close by to the UK at the start of this period, which would maintain a fair amount of dry, settled weather.
“With this comes the potential for fog and frost, and lower temperatures overall, though nothing unusually cold is currently signalled. Towards mid-January, perhaps a greater chance of more changeable conditions re-asserting themselves, though this is rather uncertain at present.”
It comes after several weather warnings, including an amber rain warning for parts of Wales, were issued across the UK today. Heavy rain is expected in south and south-west Wales, with 50mm to 80mm forecast widely and nearly 100mm in some areas, the Met Office said.
Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded and some communities could be cut off, according to the amber warning that started at 3am and runs until 9pm on Monday. Yellow rain warnings are in place for parts of north-east, north-west and south-west England, the East Midlands, the West Midlands and Wales.
The Environment Agency (EA) has posted seven warnings saying flooding is expected, including for parts of the Lake District. There are also 79 active EA alerts saying flooding is possible.
The Met Office said in its amber warning: “Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses (is) likely. Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.” It added: “Given the recent wet weather and saturated ground, the likelihood of impacts is higher.”
A yellow rain warning is active for the East Midlands, the West Midlands, north-east and north-west England and parts of Wales until 11.59pm on Monday. Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is possible in those areas and could cause a danger to life, the Met Office said.
Forecasters warned that heavy rain could cause travel disruption, cut off communities and bring power cuts. The Met Office posted a yellow rain warning for the South West, including Devon and Plymouth, until 11.59pm on Monday.
Another is in place from 6am on Monday to 3am on Tuesday for north-east England and Yorkshire. A yellow warning is in force until 3pm on Monday for parts of north-west Wales.
The Met Office said in its amber warning: “Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.”
Stephen Dixon, a spokesman for the forecaster, said the rain will ease for many on Tuesday and bring fairly clear skies, sunshine, and a chill. However, there’s another transition for the UK’s weather on Wednesday, as we return to more widely wet and windy conditions, initially in the west but spreading over much of the country through the day.
“This is likely to once again top up rainfall totals in already sensitive areas in south Wales and the south west of England. Further unsettled weather is likely on Thursday and in the latter part of the week, with low pressure continuing to influence the weather into the weekend.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight:
The rain will continue across parts of England and Wales this evening, edging slowly eastwards overnight, gradually easing as it does so. Dry elsewhere, with clear spells. A patchy frost forming across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Milder in the southeast.
Tuesday:
Patchy rain gradually clearing eastern England through the morning. A dry and bright day for many, with a few blustery showers across northwest Scotland. Feeling colder than of late.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Turning wet and windy once again through Wednesday, lingering into Thursday. Drier and brighter for Friday, though with a scattering of showers. Near average temperatures, mild in the far south.
