Key Takeaways
- The UK is expected to experience a chilly and snowy end to the year, with temperatures potentially dropping to -3C in some areas
- Scotland and the Midlands are forecast to see frosty conditions, with temperatures ranging from -1C to 0C
- London and southern England may see snow on December 27, with an 80% chance of snow in the capital at around 6am
- The Met Office predicts a gradual transition to more settled conditions, with high pressure building to the north of the UK
- Temperatures are expected to be below average, with frost likely in areas with clear skies and light winds
Introduction to the Forecast
The festive period is just around the corner, and it seems that the UK is in for a chilly and snowy end to the year. According to the latest weather maps, temperatures could plummet to -3C in some areas, with many parts of the country experiencing frosty conditions. The WX Charts map suggests that Newport, Wales, could see temperatures as low as -3C, while nearby Gloucester and Cheltenham may experience lows of -2C on December 30. The Brecon Beacons are also expected to hit -2C, while Bristol could drop to -1C, and London, Southampton, Ipswich, Thanet, and parts of Sussex may hover around 0C.
Regional Weather Forecast
Scotland is also set for a frosty Christmas period, with the area of the Cairngorms National Park forecast to see -1C, while the Midlands are expected to hit around 0C. Belfast could experience similarly cold conditions, with 0C predicted. The Netweather map for Saturday, December 27, shows dark red shading over London and southern England, indicating an 80% chance of snow in the capital at around 6am. Another WX Charts map for New Year’s Day predicts snow around 6pm in Stoke-on-Trent and southern Scotland, including the Scottish Borders. These forecasts suggest that many parts of the UK will experience cold and potentially snowy conditions over the festive period.
Met Office Forecast
The Met Office provides a more measured forecast, noting that wintry showers are possible in some areas but conditions are expected to be "largely settled." The Met Office’s long-range forecast for the period of December 24 to January 2 reads: "A gradual transition to more settled conditions is expected, as high pressure builds to the north of the UK. This will bring a strengthening easterly wind over the Christmas period, making it feel noticeably colder than of late. Whilst there will be a fair amount of dry weather, a few showers will still be possible, particularly across eastern and southern parts which may be wintry in places, more especially over high ground." The Met Office also notes that high pressure will likely dominate the weather in the run-up to the New Year, slowly drifting to the west, maintaining largely settled conditions, although with an increasing chance of showery conditions later in the period.
Temperature and Frost
Temperatures are expected to be below average for much of the time, with frost likely where clear skies and light winds prevail. The Met Office notes that even small variations in temperature, wind direction, or the intensity of precipitation can influence whether an area experiences rain, sleet, or snow. In some cases, heavy bursts of precipitation may lower temperatures enough for snow to form, while lighter showers can often melt before reaching the ground. The coldest December in the UK on record, in terms of average temperature, was 2010, with a mean of around -0.9C, making it the lowest since records began. This highlights the potential for cold and wintry conditions over the festive period.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, the UK is expected to experience a chilly and potentially snowy end to the year, with temperatures dropping to -3C in some areas. The Met Office predicts a gradual transition to more settled conditions, with high pressure building to the north of the UK. However, temperatures are expected to be below average, with frost likely in areas with clear skies and light winds. It is essential to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts to plan for the festive period and potential disruptions caused by cold and wintry weather. With the Met Office and other weather forecasting services providing regular updates, it is possible to stay informed and prepared for the cold and potentially snowy conditions ahead.
