by It is very likely that the UK is set for a white Christmas this year with snow expected in the north of the country, according to the Met Office.
The forecaster said he had a “high level of confidence” that the UK would see snow over the Christmas period, but this did not mean the country would be covered in blankets of snow.
“We can confidently say it will be a bright Christmas this year,” Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said. The Independent.
“However, that does not mean we will see blankets of snow. We are more likely to see snow in higher parts of the UK such as the North Pennines or the Scottish Highlands.”
Despite warmer temperatures in the south of the UK, the forecaster said snow could not be completely ruled out in the region.
It comes as the Met Office issued a life-threatening warning for large areas of the UK amid strong winds and wintry showers ahead of Christmas.
Main points
The white fringes of Christmas fell with the approaching snow
12:24 , Alexander Butler
It looks like a White Christmas keeps falling with William Hill, with Glasgow now priced at 6/5 to see snow on December 25.
Across central Scotland, Edinburgh (5/4) is expected to have the next snow on Christmas Day, ahead of Aberdeen at 2/1.
In England, Newcastle (2/1) is most likely to be covered in snow on Christmas morning, followed by Leeds (5/2) and Manchester (3/1), with a 7/1 chance of seeing snow on Christmas Day in London . .
Looking forward to the New Year
11:15 , Holly Evans
In its wide-ranging forecast looking ahead from Monday 1 January to Monday 15 January, the Met Office said: “They are likely to continue unsettled with bands of rain crossing the UK with brighter conditions and showers in between.
“The wettest and windiest conditions are likely to be in the north and west. Short-term cold spells are still possible, with hazards such as snow and ice, especially in the north.
“The chances of these colder spells increase slightly moving through January, with the likelihood of a longer spell of cold weather around the middle of the month.”
There is little chance of a bright Christmas, says the Met Office
10:57 , Alexander Butler
A clear Christmas is very likely this year with snow expected in the north of the UK, the Met Office said.
The forecaster said he had a “high level of confidence” that the UK would see snow this Christmas, but this did not mean the country would be covered in blankets of snow.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said The Independent: “We can say with confidence that it will be a bright Christmas this year.
“However, that does not mean we will see blankets of snow. We are more likely to see snow in higher parts of the UK such as the northern Pennines or the Scottish Highlands.”
Possible snow comes after heavy snowfall in December
10:45 , Holly Evans
The possibility of snow across the UK during Christmas follows the icy conditions that hit north-west England at the start of the month.
Hundreds of homes in Cumbria were left without power, with police declaring a major incident and urging people not to travel to the county unless necessary.
A life threatening wind warning has been issued
10:37 , Alexander Butler
The Met Office has issued a life-threatening warning for large areas of the UK amid strong winds and wintry showers ahead of Christmas.
The yellow warning was issued all day Thursday and extends from Norfolk all the way up to the most northerly point in Scotland.
Heavy rain and cloud is expected for Monday
10:15 , Holly Evans
Before the temperature drops, the UK will have a mostly cloudy day on Monday, with heavy rain falling at times in the west.
The Met Office said: “South-east England should see some brightness, while sunny spells and showers develop across Scotland and Northern Ireland, where it will feel slightly cooler.”
As for tonight, further heavy rain will come from the south-west and spread to England and Wales, while Scotland and northern Ireland will remain drier with scattered showers.
Further locally heavy rain from the south-west, spreading to most of England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland staying drier, cooler with scattered showers in the north.
Will there be a white Christmas in the UK?
09:49 , Holly Evans
Some regions of the UK are facing a bright Christmas with the Met Office expecting snow during the Christmas season.
The Met Office has forecast “unsettled” weather until the weekend before Christmas.
Although long-range forecasts are subject to change, the Met Office’s extended verdict suggests that there may be snow towards the end of the year. However, the forecast also suggests that most of the country is expected to have rain and a milder Christmas.
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Will there be a bright Christmas? The Met Office gives an early update on the snow
There is a chance of snow before the Christmas period, says the Met Office
09:46 , Holly Evans
In his wide-ranging weather forecast, which looks at Friday 22 December to Sunday 31 December, the forecaster has warned that snow is likely to fall across the hills in the north.
They said: “Milder, more mobile periods of wind and rain are more likely, with shorter cooler, more turbulent interludes. First, from the north, showers, heavy in places and wintry to low levels, with drier and brighter conditions further south.
“Strong winds should facilitate early in the period. Milder conditions, likely to return for some time over the weekend.
“Over the Christmas period, there is a chance of a colder interlude and a shower with westerly winds that could bring snow, mainly across hills in the north.
“However, this cooler interlude may be short-lived, and may not reach the south for long before a milder Atlantic flow is reestablished. This pattern is likely towards New Year’s Eve, with most of the cloud and rain likely to be in the west, with drier and brighter conditions in the east.”
The Met Office provides a five-day update on the forecast for winter showers
09:36 , Holly Evans
The Met Office has released a video on social media showing the weather forecast over the next five days, with conditions becoming increasingly unsettled.
Although the south-east will enjoy brighter spells, the weather will be colder in Scotland with scattered, windy showers expected on Tuesday. Strong winds are expected across the UK on Thursday, with conditions still unsettled over the weekend.
Welcome to our live coverage
09:29 , Holly Evans
Welcome to our live coverage as the Met Office issues its latest update on the possibility of a White Christmas.
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