As the countdown to Christmas Day intensifies, millions across the United Kingdom are looking to the skies, hoping for a festive dusting of snow. The latest long-range predictions from both the Met Office and BBC Weather, however, suggest a different story is unfolding for the holiday period.
Unsettled Prelude Gives Way to Festive Calm
The run-up to the big day is expected to remain unsettled with spells of rain and blustery winds affecting many regions. Yet, forecasters offer a glimmer of festive cheer, pointing to a significant shift in the pattern just in time for the celebrations. Both agencies indicate that high pressure is expected to build, likely bringing calmer and more settled conditions for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself.
The Met Office states that this shift should reduce the risk of widespread, impactful rain and strong winds. Instead, many areas could enjoy dry spells with lighter winds. The exception may be parts of the far northwest, where showers could persist. The BBC mostly concurs with this outlook, forecasting that drier conditions will take hold as high pressure extends from Scandinavia towards the UK.
Frost and Fog Over Widespread Snow
While the prospect of drier weather will be welcome for travel and family gatherings, it comes with a caveat for those dreaming of a White Christmas. The dominant high-pressure system makes widespread snow unlikely for most lowland areas of the country.
The BBC predicts temperatures will be close to or slightly above the seasonal average, further diminishing the chance of snow for the majority. Any wintry precipitation is expected to be confined to higher ground in northern Scotland. The Met Office adds that with the calmer conditions, there will be an increasing risk of overnight frost and fog, which could linger into the daytime due to the weak winter sun, especially where fog persists.
Detailed Forecasts for the Festive Week
For the period from December 20 to 29, the Met Office warns that many areas will still face further rain or showers at times, accompanied by windy conditions. The calming influence is expected to develop as Christmas Day approaches.
Similarly, the BBC forecast for December 22 to 28 highlights the establishment of high pressure, though it notes Atlantic weather fronts may still attempt to bring wetter spells, particularly to western parts of the UK. The overarching message from both forecasters is clear: prepare for a frosty, potentially foggy, but predominantly dry Christmas, with the last widespread White Christmas of 2010 set to remain a memory for another year.
