21 December 2023 , 16:58
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Brits have been given a final verdict on whether there will be snow on Christmas Day this year.
A weather front bringing milder conditions means that for some areas it is likely to be nearer double figures than freezing on December 25. But it is still set to be an official white Christmas due to flurries falling in the north of Scotland.
There is likely to be some icy weather towards the end of this week on Friday and Saturday for Scotland with possible blizzards in the Shetlands while the outlook is generally unsettled. Following a gale ravaged day on Thursday with a large yellow warning in place and winds reaching 81mph, it will remain blustery with further rain falling.
“Storm Pia, which was named by the Danish Met Institute, is gradually moving towards mainland Europe, where its impacts are expected to be more severe,” stated the Met Office. “In the UK, winds will ease for many on Thursday afternoon, with further wet weather likely for some, especially in western areas. It’ll remain windy for many on Friday, with further periods of rain likely to sweep in from the west, and some snow across the Northern Isles of Scotland.
A weather map for Christmas Day (Met Office)"Yellow warnings for snow and ice have been issued for Shetland and northeastern parts of Scotland over the next few days. For Shetland, 2-5 cm of snow is possible in a few places from frequent showers on Friday into Saturday, which could lead to some travel disruption.”
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Then over the weekend further Atlantic frontal systems are bringing rain and strong winds to parts of the UK. Rain will be heaviest in the west and northwest through the weekend, with any settling snow likely confined to northern Scotland on Friday night into Saturday morning. Central and eastern areas of the UK could remain mostly dry.
A weather warning on Friday (Met Office)Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dave Hayter said: “It’ll be a particularly wet weekend in the north and west, with breezy conditions for many. While those further south will generally be drier, some sporadic showers could spread into the southwest at times, as well as some more persistent rain for Wales on Sunday.
“Christmas Day will likely see a continuation of unsettled, mainly showery, weather in the northwest, including Northern Ireland. While the day may start damp in southern and central areas, that rain should clear into the English Channel through the evening.”
A White Christmas – which is defined by the Met Office as a single snowflake falling on Christmas Day – is likely, with wintry showers likely over high ground in the far north of Scotland. Looking towards the New Year, the weather will be unsettled again with low pressure bringing breezy and wet conditions for many, but there will be some drier and brighter interludes.