Britons heading out for last-minute Christmas shopping and festive gatherings this weekend will need to pack their umbrellas and prepare for a distinctly wet and windy few days. The final weekend before Christmas is set to be dominated by changeable conditions, with a significant band of rain forecast to sweep across the nation, bringing potential disruption.
A Damp Start to the Weekend
The unsettled spell begins on Saturday morning, with scattered showers expected across the UK. The west coast will see the bulk of this early rain, while the Scottish Highlands are forecast to receive some snow. According to detailed data from WXCharts, a more organised band of precipitation will begin to push in from the west by midday.
Areas including Belfast, Plymouth, and the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales will be among the first to experience the deteriorating conditions. As Saturday evening progresses, this band of rain will intensify and stretch further along the western coastline.
Heavy Rain Spreads Eastwards
By Saturday night, heavy showers are likely to hit Swansea, Bristol, and parts of south-west Scotland. The rain will continue its eastward march overnight, drenching cities like Blackpool, Birmingham, and Southampton. The west coast will bear the brunt of the persistent downpours into Sunday morning, with the wet weather reaching Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.
The most intense rainfall is predicted for Wales and southern areas extending into Bristol and Southampton, where rates could reach up to an inch per hour. Sunday morning may offer brief respite for some, as the band of rain over England fragments into more isolated showers. However, the Lake District and south-west Scotland can expect persistent rain and further snow.
Christmas Week Begins Under Grey Skies
Any dry interlude will be short-lived. By Sunday evening, rain will return with a vengeance, covering huge swathes of the East of England and Wales. Two primary bands of rain are forecast to blanket the country. Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent will be completely drenched, while Wales, Birmingham, Bristol, and Southampton face another thorough soaking.
As the clock approaches 9pm on Sunday, almost all of England and Wales, along with a large part of Scotland, will be seeing in the start of Christmas week under consistently rainy and grey skies. This widespread wet weather underscores the importance of checking local forecasts and allowing extra time for any essential travel or outdoor plans during this busy festive period.
