The UK is bracing for a cold Christmas as a bitterly chilly weather front threatens to disrupt the holiday season.
According to WXCharts’ latest weather maps, a powerful Polar vortex is moving southward, with the potential to bring up to 20cm of snow to various areas in the days leading up to and on Christmas Day itself.
WXCharts.com data indicates a strong likelihood of snowfall this year, with stormy maps showing up to 22cm of snow in north-west Scotland.
Between 1cm and 5cm of snow could fall on Christmas Day across the north, Wales, and the home counties.
In certain regions, northern England and Scotland could see as much as 5cm of snow per hour, while heavy rain is expected in central and southern parts of the country, reports the Express.
A separate weather map from Netweather forecasts a high risk of snow throughout Scotland, with a slightly lower risk extending into northern England.
Temperatures across the UK are set to drop sharply, with WXCharts.com maps predicting daytime temperatures as low as -4°C on Christmas Eve in a small part of central Scotland, and just a degree or two lower in surrounding areas.
On Christmas Day, temperatures will rise slightly before dropping again on Boxing Day, with potential lows of -6°C in central Scotland.
The Met Office has released a forecast for December 16-25, painting a gloomy picture of cloudy skies and some mild weather. “Monday is expected to be mainly dry, though largely cloudy. The far north will experience rain, especially in northwest Scotland, with light rain and drizzle likely on west-facing hills elsewhere.”
Conditions are expected to remain mild as “All areas will be mild. Low pressure could dominate midweek, bringing a spell of wet, windy weather to most places.”
Midweek will likely bring more unsettled conditions as “All parts will remain mild. Around the middle of the week, low pressure may dominate, with wet and windy weather for most places.”
As the week progresses, unsettled weather is expected to continue. “While high pressure may briefly build, especially in the south later in the period, the more probable scenario is that an unsettled regime will prevail.”
For those hoping for a festive snowfall, “Spells of wind and rain, with some hill snow in the north, are likely, followed by blustery showers, most frequent and perhaps wintry at times in the northwest.”
Temperatures will fluctuate as “Temperatures will vary around average, with periods of colder and milder weather.”
For those dreaming of a white Christmas, it may be time to hold onto your Santa hats. The official definition requires just one snowflake to fall anywhere in the UK on December 25.