Met Office Confirms Chances of a White Christmas for Some Brits
The Met Office has shared its long-term forecast for December, revealing that parts of the UK could see a white Christmas this year. While much of December has been marked by wet and windy weather, freezing temperatures are expected to persist in the lead-up to the festive season.
In its outlook from December 22 to January 5, the Met Office stated: “Some sleet and snow is also likely at times, especially on high ground in the north”, reported by the Sun.
However, the forecast also highlighted the possibility of calmer conditions, particularly in the south. “There are also some signs that more settled conditions are possible at times, these perhaps most likely across the south late in December or into early January,” the Met Office explained.
For those hoping for a snowy New Year, the Met Office added: “We are more likely to see snow in January and February than in December, with snow actually settling on the ground an average of 3 days in December, compared to 3.3 days in January, 3.4 days in February and 1.9 days in March (1991–2020 long-term averaging period).”
Despite this, the Met Office noted the impact of climate change on reducing the likelihood of a white Christmas. “Climate change has also brought higher average temperatures over land and sea and this generally reduced the chances of a white Christmas.”
The update comes shortly after Storm Darragh battered the UK over the weekend, bringing winds of up to 93mph and causing widespread disruption. Millions of people were urged to stay indoors, while tens of thousands faced power outages.
Tragically, the storm claimed two lives. On Saturday, a man was killed in Erdington, Birmingham, when a tree fell onto his car on Silver Birch Road. In Lancashire, another man in his 40s lost his life when a tree struck his van during the severe winds.
With unsettled weather persisting across the country, Brits are advised to brace for more cold conditions in the coming weeks. While snow on Christmas Day remains uncertain, there is a glimmer of hope for those in northern highlands.
Whether the UK wakes up to snow-covered streets or simply frost and fog, all eyes will remain on the skies as Christmas approaches.