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Christmas weather forecast: Met Office releases updated long-range prediction

A family take advantage of the Christmas Day snow with a trip out sledging on the hills near Hexham, Northumberland. Early morning snowfall has been recorded in parts of the UK, with the Met Office declaring it a White Christmas.
The Met Office says northern parts of the country are more likely to experience wintry conditions at Christmas. (PA)

With just a few days left until Christmas Day, many will be wondering whether to expect snow this year.

But while an icy spell hit the UK last week, the weather for the remainder of December is a very different affair, according to the Met Office.

There is set to be a "north/south split" in terms of the varying weather conditions across the festive weekend, the forecaster said – but added that "a range of outcomes are still possible".

However, the milder conditions in the south are expected to remain for Christmas.

Milder temperatures are expected across the south on Christmas Day. (Met Office)
Milder temperatures are expected across the south on Christmas Day. (Met Office)

The Met Office said: "What we can say is that Christmas Day will most likely be mild with a risk of rain or showers in places for the south, especially the far south, while any cold air and wintry conditions will most likely be confined to the north of the UK.”

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The Met Office's latest forecast comes after its initial prediction, which said the chances of frost and fog overnight were higher than usual, while the country was set to experience dry conditions.

In its forecast for 12 to 26 December, the Met Office said last month: "Whilst temperatures may average out close to normal overall, colder conditions are possible at times, with a risk of overnight frost and fog higher than normal."

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Last December, maximum temperatures exceeded 15C in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while 16.5C was recorded on New Year's Eve in Bala, north Wales, the highest on that date on record.

The forecast comes after the UK experienced an ice cold snap last week, with temperatures sinking as low as minus 10C overnight.

A yellow warning was issued for parts of Wales, Northern Ireland, England's east coast, northern Scotland and the Western Isles.

The sun rises over a foggy Worcestershire as seen from the Malvern Hills. The UK is bracing itself for an ice cold snap as forecasters say Arctic air will move in from Wednesday evening, with the UK Health and Security Agency issuing a cold weather alert recommending people warm their homes to at least 18C (64.4F). Picture date: Wednesday December 7, 2022.
The sun rises over a foggy Worcestershire as seen from the Malvern Hills as the UK braces itself for an ice cold snap. (PA)

Arctic air moved in from Wednesday last week, with the UK Health and Security Agency issuing a cold weather alert recommending people warm their homes to at least 18C.

Warmer air from Madeira quickly swept into the UK at the start of this week, bringing an “extraordinary” temperature rise after days of wintry conditions.

The Met Office said areas of the UK saw temperatures of around 14C on Monday, with a high of 15.8C recorded in Rhyl, Wales.