With a strong easterly wind expected in the coming days, temperatures are set to tumble — from the balmy 12.8C recorded in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on Monday — to close to freezing
Chances of a white Christmas are increasingly unlikely, the Met Office has confirmed.
Temperatures are set to fall in the coming days, particularly during the nights, as a strong easterly wind takes hold. The mercury peaked at 12.8C in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on Monday but forecasters believe daytime temperatures will be near freezing over the weekend.
It may become cold enough for snow but the Met Office is confident a white Christmas is not on the cards. Annie Shuttleworth, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “There is a very low chance of any widespread white Christmas at all at this time in any of these outcomes.”
She referred to various computer models which show different forecasts for December 25 and each shows high pressure moving across the UK, and so little rain or snow as a result. It is a contrast to the wet start of December, which led to flooding for parts of south Wales.
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Ms Shuttleworth added: “It is nothing exceptionally cold, but what we can expect is a general downtrend in temperatures.” The mercury exceeded 12C in various places, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Somerset, on Monday. However, the change in wind direction will lead to the fall in temperatures, especially across western parts of the UK at the start of next week.
Odds for a white Christmas had plunged last week to evens at Aberdeen Airport, and to 6/4 at Edinburgh Airport. However, the new information is likely to widen the bookmakers odds throughout today.
Historically, the UK sees snow on Christmas Day roughly once every four years, though a true “White Christmas” (defined by the Met Office as at least one snowflake falling on December 25) has occurred more frequently in Scotland than further south.
But before the Christmas week, more rain is expected across southern England and Wales. A weather warning is in place as the Met Office is concerned about the risk of more flooding. With regards to Thursday’s deluge, the Met Office says: “An area of occasionally heavy rain will move northeast across the warning area during Thursday morning and afternoon before clearing to the east through the evening. Given recent very wet weather, there is potential for some disruption to travel and possible flooding.
“Much of the warning area will see 15-25 mm but some places could see 40-60 mm, with the highest totals falling over high ground of south Wales and Dartmoor.”
Several flood warnings are in place, including one for the River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and another for the River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary in Devon.
