Met Office announces forecast for a ‘White Christmas’ amidst predictions of further snowfall

THE Met Office have given a verdict on a white Christmas as they revealed the dates snow could hit.

Brits have already been facing wet and windy conditions as the wintry weather continues to bite.

Now, meteorologists have given a clue as to what the weather may be like on Christmas Day.

The forecaster warned of overnight frosts and fog, with strong winds and rain moving up from the southeast.

As we enter the week of Christmas, the Met Office revealed some Brits can expect the white stuff to fall.

“At times, particularly on elevated terrain in the north, we can also expect some sleet and snow,” reads the forecast for the long-range weather from December 22 to January 5, as reported by the forecaster.

“However, there are also some signs that more settled conditions are possible at times, these perhaps most likely across the south late in December or into early January.

“Temperatures are likely to be around average overall, with any more settled interludes bringing a risk of frost and fog.”

The forecaster added that snow could also blanket parts of the UK as we head into 2025.

They continued: “We are more likely to see snow in January and February than in December, with snow actually settling on the ground (snow lying) an average of 3 days in December, compared to 3.3 days in January, 3.4 days in February and 1.9 days in March (1991 – 2020 long-term averaging period).

“Climate change has also brought higher average temperatures over land and sea and this generally reduced the chances of a white Christmas.”

SWEET RELIEF

It comes as Storm Darragh looks set to calm down after strong winds, torrential rain and floods left two dead in a weekend of carnage.

The Met Office said more settled but cooler conditions will greet much of the UK this week as the clean-up operation gets under way.

Winds will gradually ease with noticeably less rainfall by Wednesday but temperatures will stay in the single figures, the forecaster added.

The fourth named storm of the season brought strong gusts to many parts of the country over the weekend with millions warned to stay indoors.

Two men were killed by falling trees hitting their vehicles on Saturday.

The Energy Networks Association said around 118,000 customers were still without power on Sunday evening.

Train services remain disrupted with several lines closed due to fallen trees and debris.

Passengers were warned to expect cancellations and delays to train services on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Scotland early on Monday.

Great Western Railway said passengers should “not attempt to travel” between Swansea and Carmarthen until at least noon, or on the Looe, St Ives and Gunnislake branch lines in Cornwall until at least 11am on Monday.

Transport for Wales said all railway lines were blocked on 11 routes, such as between Swansea and Milford Haven, between Swansea and Shrewsbury, between Birmingham International and Shrewsbury, and between Chester and Holyhead.

Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick said: “Storm Darragh has now moved its way off towards the south east so things are going to start to settle down over the next couple of days.

“But it is still going to remain quite blustery especially for south and south east of England, for the next day at least.”

Cloud towards the south east will bring the chance of localised, potentially heavy showers but these should move through quickly, Mr Eslick said.

Much of the rest of the country further north will see calmer winds and plenty of sunshine due to an area of high pressure moving in.