The UK is bracing for a 21-hour snowstorm on December 15, with early weather maps indicating the first flakes will fall in Scotland during the early hours. The snow is then expected to shift southwards, impacting Northern Ireland, Wales, and parts of northern England.
By 9am, the heaviest snowfall is forecast in southern Scotland's Galloway Forest Park, along with the Lake District and the Pennines in northern England. A lighter dusting is also expected in Northern Ireland, while North Wales, particularly Snowdonia, could see heavy snow by 3pm. Dublin may also receive a sprinkling.
Central and northern England are likely to experience rainfall instead of snow. By 9pm, after 21 hours of snow showers, snow is expected to have settled in North Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England (including west and North Yorkshire), and nearly all of Scotland, according to GFS model maps.
BBC Weather's forecast for December 15-28 notes low confidence due to upper atmosphere disturbances, but suggests high pressure could bring drier conditions before Christmas. The Met Office outlook for December 16-30 also indicates a greater chance of high pressure, with dry weather, overnight fog, and frost, though hill snow is possible in the north.
