The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering south-west England and much of Wales on Christmas Day, while confirming that a white Christmas is highly unlikely. Gusts are expected to reach 45-55mph widely, with 55-65mph possible along exposed coasts and near prominent hills, potentially causing disruption to transport and power supplies.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a yellow cold health alert for south-west England from 6pm on Thursday until noon on 27 December. The alert warns of minor impacts on health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life for those most at risk.
The Met Office said east to north-easterly winds would strengthen during Christmas Day, with large waves posing an additional hazard on some coasts. Spokesperson Oli Claydon described Thursday's conditions as "pretty decent" with mainly dry weather, but noted a strong easterly wind, particularly across the south coast of England.
No snow had been confirmed by the Met Office by 8am on Thursday, and Claydon said a white Christmas was "highly unlikely" due to a dry picture across the UK. Snowflakes were seen in Jersey, which is not part of the UK, marking the island's third official white Christmas since records began.
Temperatures on Christmas Day are forecast to be around 7C in north-east England and 6C in south or south-east England. Overnight into Boxing Day, frost and freezing temperatures are likely in western rural areas, with -6C possible in rural parts of Scotland and -4C in rural Wales.
