The United Kingdom is preparing for a shift in weather conditions as the festive period draws to a close, with forecasts predicting snow and a significant drop in temperatures leading into the New Year. While a mild and relatively uneventful Christmas period saw temperatures reaching an unseasonably warm 14.8°C in Aberdeen on Christmas Eve, the forecast for the days following Boxing Day points towards a return to more typical winter weather.
The first signs of this change are expected to appear on Monday evening, December 30th, with snow predicted to fall across northern Scotland, starting lightly and gradually intensifying as the evening progresses. Accompanying the snow will be hail, also impacting northern Scotland and the Scottish Highlands. By midnight, snowfall rates in these areas could reach up to four millimeters per hour. Surrounding areas can anticipate hail storms and torrential rain, peaking around 3am on Tuesday. This wintry weather system sets the stage for a chillier New Year’s Eve.
Boxing Day itself is expected to be relatively mild and cloudy across much of the UK. Southern England and Wales may experience misty mornings, while Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to see patches of heavy rain, particularly in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. Northern England might enjoy some sunny spells in the afternoon. Temperatures across the country are expected to be around seasonal averages, with slightly higher figures in the north, reaching around 10°C in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The southwest coast of England, in areas like Plymouth, might also see highs of 10°C. Elsewhere in England and Wales, temperatures will likely hover around 8°C or 9°C, with the Midlands experiencing lows of 6°C.
However, this relatively mild weather is predicted to be short-lived. As New Year’s Eve approaches, temperatures are forecast to plummet, potentially reaching lows of -2°C in northern Scotland. Much of the rest of the country will likely remain just above freezing during the New Year’s Eve festivities. The north of England and the Midlands can expect temperatures around 4°C. This drastic change in temperature signals a shift towards colder and wetter conditions as the UK enters the New Year.
Looking ahead to the five-day forecast, Boxing Day is anticipated to be mild and mostly cloudy, with rain affecting central and southern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. Northern Scotland is expected to be brighter but colder. Friday will continue the mild and cloudy trend with patchy rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the far northwest will experience brighter, chillier weather with isolated showers. From Saturday through Monday, the northwest will see clearing rain, followed by brighter but colder conditions with blustery showers. Rain and hill snow are also expected in the north on Sunday and Monday.
This transition to colder and potentially snowy conditions is supported by the Met Office’s long-range forecast, which covers the period from Monday, December 30th, to Wednesday, January 8th. This forecast suggests a high likelihood of low-pressure systems moving across the country, bringing heavy rain and potentially strong winds. As colder air moves south from the north, the risk of sleet and snow increases, particularly in northern areas. Temperatures are expected to drop slightly below average, especially in the north, although milder interludes are still possible in the south. While the general trend towards colder and wetter weather is fairly certain, the exact location of these weather systems, and therefore the specific areas affected by rain or snow, remains uncertain.
The Met Office emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the precise locations of snowfall, highlighting the complexity of forecasting weather patterns. While the overall trend indicates a shift towards colder, wetter conditions with an increased risk of snow, particularly in the north, the exact areas that will experience snowfall remain to be seen. The Met Office will continue to monitor the developing weather systems and provide updates as more information becomes available. The upcoming days will bring a marked change from the mild Christmas weather, ushering in a more typical winter climate for the start of the new year.
