Millions across the United Kingdom are looking to the skies with a familiar festive hope: will it snow on Christmas Day? The latest forecasts from the Met Office and BBC Weather have now been released, offering clues as to whether 2025 might deliver the coveted White Christmas.
What Defines an Official White Christmas?
Before delving into the predictions, it's important to understand what officially counts. According to the Met Office, the bar is set remarkably low. For an official White Christmas to be declared, just a single snowflake needs to be observed falling anywhere in the UK within the 24 hours of December 25th.
This technicality means that 2023 qualified, with snow recorded at 11% of the nation's weather stations. However, the last truly widespread event was back in 2010, when a remarkable 83% of stations reported snow on the ground. The year prior, 2009, saw 57% coverage.
BBC Weather's Festive Forecast
The BBC's forecast for the period from December 20th to the 28th indicates a change of pattern is on the way during Christmas week. It suggests high pressure extending from southern Scandinavia will push away a low-pressure system, leading to generally drier conditions.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself, the BBC predicts it will be breezy, especially in the south, and feel noticeably chillier than recent days. While a few patches of light rain or drizzle are possible, most areas should stay largely dry. The forecast does hint at some wintriness over higher ground, but significant snowfall looks unlikely for most.
The Met Office's Extended Outlook
The Met Office's forecast, covering December 24th to January 2nd, echoes the theme of colder conditions. It warns of a strengthening easterly wind that will make it feel colder than of late.
A few showers are possible, particularly across eastern and southern regions, with some potentially turning wintry in places. Crucially, the Met Office suggests any such wintry showers are more likely in the run-up to New Year rather than on Christmas Day itself, and they remain most probable over higher ground.
The agency adds that high pressure will likely dominate into the New Year, bringing settled conditions initially, though with an increasing chance of showers later. Temperaries are expected to be below average with frosts likely under clear skies.
Other Forecasters Weigh In
Adding another perspective, Netweather's forecast for December 22nd to 28th makes no mention of snow. It anticipates high pressure dominating, bringing near or slightly above seasonal temperatures initially due to mild air from Europe. The week is expected to be generally cloudy with some light, showery rain in the east, and potential frost in clearer western areas like parts of Scotland.
As the week progresses, high pressure is predicted to spread, increasing the chance of sunny spells in the west and frosty nights, while eastern Britain stays cloudier.
In summary, while the festive period is set to turn colder and breezier, the dream of a widespread, picture-postcard White Christmas across the UK remains unlikely according to current predictions. The best chance for any festive flakes appears to be over the hills and mountains, with most towns and cities experiencing a dry, chilly, and breezy holiday.
