The Met Office has delivered its official verdict on the chances of a white Christmas this year, dashing hopes for widespread snowfall on 25 December. Despite temperatures plunging to as low as -5C in some areas, forecasters state that snow is 'highly unlikely' for the vast majority of the country.
A Chilly but Dry Christmas Day
Met Office spokesperson Oliver Claydon confirmed that Christmas Day will be mostly dry with spells of sunshine, though it will feel noticeably colder than recent days. Temperatures are expected to settle around the mid to high single figures, feeling closer to freezing due to a significant wind chill factor.
'It will feel especially cold across the windier south coast in the easterly wind,' Claydon said. He added that parts of eastern Scotland and northeast England will see cloudy periods, while the far southwest may experience thicker cloud and a spot of rain. Coastal gales are a risk in southern England.
Where Could There Be a Flurry?
While the national picture is snow-free, there remains a slim possibility of a festive flurry on high ground. The Met Office indicates a small chance of a smattering of snow on Dartmoor as afternoon rain showers push into parts of Devon and Cornwall on Christmas Day.
For most, however, the festive period will be characterised by cold, bright conditions. A brisk easterly wind picking up from Christmas Eve will make the slightly below-average temperatures feel biting. By Thursday evening, temperatures could drop to around 2C in cities like London, Cardiff, and parts of Scotland.
Cold Snap and a Record-Warm Year
The cold spell is set to continue into Boxing Day and the weekend, with largely dry and settled weather prevailing. Northern Scotland is expected to see the lowest overnight temperatures, potentially hitting -5C.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell explained: 'Temperatures on the thermometer will be a little bit below average... and then when you add on that wind chill, it will probably feel more like freezing from Christmas Eve onwards.'
Despite this chilly end to the year, 2025 is still on track to be the UK's hottest year on record. The mean temperature up to 21 December is tracking ahead of the previous record set in 2022. If confirmed, 2025 will be only the second year in UK observational records where the annual mean temperature has exceeded 10C.
MET OFFICE FESTIVE OUTLOOK
Christmas Eve: Generally dry and cloudy, windy in the south with possible fog in northern Scotland.
Christmas Day: Mainly dry with sunshine. Cloudier in the northeast, with potential patchy rain in west Cornwall. Cold and windy, especially in the south.
Boxing Day & Weekend: Largely dry and settled, with sunny spells. Remaining cold and windy in southern regions.
