As Christmas approaches, the weather will be dominated by high-pressure a colder air.
Temperatures are falling, and a brisk easterly wind will bring a chill to many parts of the UK. High pressure is poised to become the dominant feature, promising a spell of largely dry but colder weather.
Here’s what to expect in the days ahead.
A complex start: Unsettled pressure patterns
As we move towards Christmas, high-pressure systems are expected to merge, forming a dominant area of high pressure over the North Sea. This will bring a period of settled weather from Christmas Eve onwards, with sinking air leading to dry conditions for most.
With high pressure in control, the southern half of the UK will see the ushering in of a noticeable easterly wind. While this wind will be brisk and cold, it is not expected to bring the severe chill of a classic “beast from the east.” The air over central Europe is not particularly cold, so while it will feel colder than recent weeks, it won’t be an icy blast.
The easterly breeze will pick up during Tuesday, bringing with it a fair amount of cloud, especially for eastern areas. Western regions, such as parts of west Wales and southwest England, may fare better with some sunny spells, but for most, Tuesday will be dry and cloudy.
Winds are picking up by Christmas Day, particularly along eastern and southern coasts 🌬️
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 22, 2025
These brisk easterly winds will bring a noticeable wind chill for many 🥶 pic.twitter.com/OgxrbHivXL
Temperatures drop to seasonal averages
Temperatures will generally be in single figures, around the average for this time of year, but noticeably lower than much of December so far. The wind will make it feel colder, particularly along North Sea coasts. In the southwest, where there may be a touch more brightness, temperatures could just reach double digits, but elsewhere, expect a chillier feel.
Christmas Eve: High pressure strengthens
As the two high-pressure systems merge, the easterly wind will strengthen further. A lingering weather front across northern Scotland may bring thicker cloud and some light rain, particularly over the Grampians. Elsewhere, there could be a little drizzle, but most places will see brighter conditions with a better chance of sunny spells, especially in the west.
Temperatures on Christmas Eve will hover around 5 to 7°C, with the south feeling colder than average for the time of year. The strengthening wind will make the chill more pronounced.
Christmas Day: Dry, chilly, and breezy
Christmas Day itself will be dominated by high pressure, with light winds across the north and brisk easterlies in the south. There is a risk of mist and fog, particularly in Scotland, where clear skies overnight could also bring a touch of frost. Most areas will be dry, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
While some places may enjoy blue skies for a Christmas Day walk, the brisk wind along the south and east coasts will make it feel especially cold, close to or even below freezing when wind chill is factored in. Temperatures will read 5 to 7°C, but it will feel much colder in exposed areas.
READ MORE: Christmas weather extremes: Records from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day
There is a slight chance of showers drifting into the southwest later in the day, and with cold air in place, these could bring the odd flake of snow, so a technical white Christmas is possible on higher ground in places like Bodmin Moor or Dartmoor. For most, however, it will be a dry Christmas Day.
Boxing Day and beyond: Settled and cold
The dry, settled theme continues into Boxing Day as high pressure remains anchored to the east. Another weather front may try to approach, but it is unlikely to make much progress. Where skies clear and winds are light, expect a frost on Boxing Day morning, followed by some good spells of sunshine.
There may be more cloud in the south, but under high pressure, cloud cover can be difficult to predict precisely. A sunny day with light winds will feel pleasant, even if temperatures only reach 4 to 6°C. The wind will remain a feature, making it feel colder across England and Wales, but the dry weather looks set to persist.
Looking ahead to the weekend
As we head towards the weekend and into the New Year, high pressure shows no sign of shifting. The dominant force will continue to bring dry weather, with little change expected. Temperatures will remain on the cold side, and the risk of frost and fog will persist, especially overnight.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
