Whilst the bulk majority of the UK will miss out on a White Christmas this year, it will certainly be a more seasonable feeling Christmas compared to what we’ve been used to. Maximum temperatures on the 25th will range from 0 to 3C in the North to 2 to 8C in the South, making it the coldest in quite some time. There is also a risk of snow on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in parts of the UK. This post will break down when and where these risks are. Note – we are dealing with showers so any snow will be very hit and miss, this means that even in the areas defined here, there will be some places which miss out on the snow risk altogether!
Remember, a white Xmas is defined by 1 flake of snow falling anywhere in this region, so not everywhere will see the snow that defines a white Xmas if it occurs.
Use the links below and Snow Risk Map below to see the white Xmas chances in your area.
Christmas Eve
Early on Christmas Eve morning there will be some snow flurries over North East England and South East Scotland. For a time these snow flurries could fall as snow down to fairly low elevations of 50-100m, and therefore may give a dusting or perhaps even up to 2.5cm (1 inch) locally in these areas. For central and western parts Christmas Eve will be mostly dry, and void of any snow.
As we progress through the morning these showers will start to head down the North Sea coast affecting parts of East & North Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. The showers will mostly fall as sleet on low ground below 200 metres, however above this altitude some minor snow accumulations are possible for a few areas here. Elsewhere dry.
Into Christmas Eve evening, the showers will become more confined to the south east; East Anglia, the Wash and Lincolnshire. Here, a dusting of snow is possible inland for a few areas, however for the coastal strip and up to 10 miles inland these will likely remain and sleet/ rain. Overnight into Xmas eve morning, these mostly light wintry flurries will continue across East Anglia, perhaps producing a dusting snow for some areas to start the big day!
Christmas Day
Christmas Day itself will be an excellent day weather-wise. Mostly dry with a good deal of winter sunshine, and crisp, cold temperatures. There will continue to be a minor risk of wintry showers from the North York Moors to Kent early on, and again a few areas locally could see some light snow from these, mounting to no more than a dusting in a few places. There will also be a light weather front passing into North West England. This could produce a few flakes of snow to higher levels, though no significant accumulations are expected. The overall snow risk map for the UK for Christmas Eve & Christmas day is provided below.
We’ve issued an early snow watch for the North York Moors & higher parts of Lincolnshire for Xmas eve. In these areas, there is the potential for 2-5cm between 100 and 200 metres of elevation, with perhaps 5-10cm above 300 metres of elevation. These are the only areas we feel may see enough snow to cause a few minor travel impacts. Enjoy your Christmas.