'Likely deep' snow forecast in just days with 'crisp' snowfall in England

15 December 2023 , 07:23

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'Likely deep' snow forecast in just days with 'crisp' snowfall in England

Deep snow is "likely" in parts of the UK in a matter of days, including a "crisp and somewhat uneven" spread in England and Wales, according to some forecasts - though the Met Office is not so sure.

And before that, the UK can expect further heavy rain, as well the risk of flooding. The mercury plummeted overnight as low as -2C in rural areas, with frost and mist developing this morning. Strong winds are moving in and will stay for the weekend - gusts as high as 42mph in parts - when a clear north-south divide will prevail.

Data from WXCharts shows a huge dominant streak of purple on its latest maps - and an 800-mile long stretch from Norfolk to the Shetland Islands, suggesting an Artic blast could arrive on Christmas Eve. That has led to an expectation that parts of the UK will be blanketed in the white stuff just hours before December 25.

Some forecasts suggest deep snow is 'likely' in parts of the UK in the coming days (Getty Images)

British Weather Services meteorologist Jim Dale told the Mirror last night the "latest on Christmas snow prospects" are "Scotland likely deep in it. Northern Ireland, northern England and northern Wales, crisp and somewhat uneven. South of there, currently grasping at straws but not out of it just yet.”

The Met Office, however, has preferred to hedge its bets, pouring water over the chances of a White Christmas. At least for now as it waits for a more detailed forecast next week. Spokesperson Stephen Dixon told the Mirror earlier this week that it is ambitious to expect snow to fall on Christmas Day, saying: "If you look at the charts, the set up is milder and it could even reach 13C in the south. It is wetter and colder in Scotland."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

The Arctic front poised to batter Britain

"There's a chance of the jet-stream shipping south, with colder conditions coming with it but there's no sign of severe significant wintry weather or snow in the current forecast. We could see it in the the hills of Scotland, but there's little sign of anything widespread. There will be more details coming next week."

The Met Office long range forecast - which covers December 19 to 28, adds that for this period: "At this stage there is little sign of any widespread or severe cold and wintry weather." Meteorologist for the national weather agency Annie Shuttleworth said of the weather for today and the weekend: "You can see how tightly packed the isobars are, and that shows you the strength of the wind. We've also got these frontal systems skirting along to the north - these will wiggle and wave away over the weekend marking the boundary between the cold air in the north and the exceptionally mild air building in from the south."

She said the heaviest rain is due today in Scotland, but there will be plenty of drizzle in parts of Wales and across the Pennines into this afternoon. The south is expected to be a much brighter day, with "plenty of sunshine" but temperatures will struggle to top 8 or 9C, she added. However, 11 or 12C further west.

A yellow weather warning is in place on Saturday and Sunday with a "prolonged period of heavy rain", resulting in flooding and potential travel chaos. It is in place from 8pm on Saturday until midnight the following evening across much of western Scotland. The Environment Agency had 117 flood alerts in place and 27 warnings last night - while Natural Resources Wales issued four alerts.

Ryan Merrifield