White Christmas? Met Office reveals where snow could fall with Christmas Day weather forecast
Just hours before the big day, the Met Office has made its verdict on whether the UK will see a white Christmas this year.
While temperatures across the country will drop to -5 degrees, it looks like there will be no snow on December 25.
Met Office spokesman Oliver Claydon said a white Christmas was “highly unlikely” and instead Christmas Day would be mostly dry and even see some sunshine.
“It will feel colder than late with temperatures in the mid to high single digits,” he said. “The weather will feel particularly cold on the windier southern coast with easterly winds
“Eastern Scotland and parts of north-east England will be quite cloudy at times. The far south-west of England will also be quite cloudy for a while, with cloud thick enough for perhaps a spot of rain. It will also be windy across England and Wales, particularly in southern England with a risk of coastal storms.”
Although the Met Office has cast doubt on the possibility of a white Christmas for most people, there is a slight chance of snow falling on Dartmoor as showers move into parts of Devon and Cornwall on Christmas Day afternoon.
In general, the national weather chart for the Christmas period indicates cold weather but blue skies.
Starting Wednesday, Christmas Eve, strong winds will cause temperatures that are slightly below average for this time of year to feel close to freezing across much of the country. Temperatures could drop to 2C in Cardiff Bute, Scotland and London on Thursday evening.
The overnight minimum temperature in northern Scotland is expected to drop to -5 degrees.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “The weather will cool down from Christmas Eve with strong winds across much of England and Wales, so temperatures on the thermometer will be slightly below average: generally around 6C or 7C maximum.
“And when you add in the coolness of the easterly wind, you’re likely to feel more freezing from Christmas Eve onwards.
“It’s a little colder than average, which isn’t unusual for that time of year, but it could be a little cooler than average.”
Despite the cold end to the year, 2025 could still be the warmest year on record in the UK. As of December 21, the average temperature for the year so far is well ahead of the previous highest year set in 2022.
The average temperature is currently expected to settle at 10.05C, compared to a record-breaking 10.03C in 2022. If approved, 2025 would be only the second year in the observation record that the UK’s average annual temperature has risen above 10°C.
MET OFFICE FESTIVAL VIEW
Christmas Eve
According to the Met Office, weather on Wednesday evening will be generally dry and cloudy, with clear skies expected in the far south and west. Wind is likely in the south, while fog is expected in the north of Scotland.
christmas day
The weather forecast on Thursday will be generally dry with some sunshine across the country. It is expected to be cloudier in the north-east and thicker clouds may bring some rain in West Cornwall. Forecasters say generally cold conditions will prevail everywhere and windy conditions will prevail in the south.
Boxing Day
The weather will remain largely dry and stable through Boxing Day and the weekend. According to the Met Office’s latest outlook, there is likely to be some clear or sunny weather and it will remain cold and windy in the south.
