With high pressure continuing to dominate the UK forecast, a period of colder and more settled conditions will prevail, accentuated by a brisk easterly wind across England and Wales. The cold wind will be particularly notable across Wales and southern England, with gusts in excess of 50 mph possible in the most exposed areas.

Christmas Day is expected to be mostly dry with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells in places. A few light showers are possible, particularly near the coast of Devon and Cornwall, which may be wintry. Daytime temperatures of low to mid-single figures will be exacerbated by the strong easterly wind, leading temperatures to feel more like they are below freezing.

Steve Willington is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist. He said: “The festive forecast doesn’t contain a signal for widespread snowfall, with most if not all areas remaining dry. There is a small chance of a light shower, most likely a mix of rain and sleet, with some snow possible over high ground.”

For the Met Office to declare a ‘White Christmas’, a single snowflake must be observed falling during the 24 hours of 25 December at an official Met Office observation station.

Beyond Christmas

High pressure is likely to remain close to the UK in the run-up to the New Year, bringing largely settled conditions with frost and fog in places, and a mixture of sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud.

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