Snow may fall as far south as Brighton in the New Year, with temperatures set to plummet below freezing. Weather maps generated by WX Charts on Boxing Day show snow in the Scottish Highlands at 6pm on January 2. Up to an inch of snow is expected to fall in Scotland per hour at 6am two days later.
By midnight on January 5, snow is expected to fall over Kent and Sussex, including Brighton, while much of the rest of the country is forecast to have a dry night. It looks as if the winter chill will continue too, with temperatures ranging from 0C to -1C or -2C on the same date, according to WX Charts.
The latest maps arrive as the UK remains gripped by cold weather. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow cold health alert, which lasts until noon on December 27, for south-west England.
UKHSA said low temperatures are likely to have minor impacts on health and social care services, including “increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people” and a “greater risk to life of vulnerable people”.
Met Office meteorologist Zoe Hutin said Boxing Day will see some good spells of sunshine, and for the vast majority, it will be dry.
She said snow isn’t expected at all, but it will still feel chilly, with top temperatures between 6-7C, feeling closer to 4-5C in the south.
Unlike WX Charts, the Met Office doesn’t suggest snow falling in the first few days of the New Year, although it does warn of wintry hazards. The Met Office describes forecasting snow in the UK as “complex”, with small changes making the difference between rain, sleet and snow.
In its long-range forecast, covering December 30 to January 8, the forecaster says high pressure is likely to dominate, bringing settled conditions at first.
A few showers are possible along some exposed coasts. High pressure is likely to shift around the turn of the New Year, bringing more changeable conditions.
The Met Office says: “This will bring an increased risk of some rain or showers at times, which, with cold air close to the UK, may bring some wintry hazards to some places. Temperatures will probably be near or slightly below average for this period overall.”
Met Office UK five day weather forecast
Friday, December 26 – Tuesday, December 30
Boxing Day:
Early light rain will clear from the southwest, while elsewhere it will be mainly dry with sunny spells. Some cloudier spells are expected too. The cloud will be thicker for the Northern Isles and produce the odd spot of rain. It will feel chilly, particularly in the south.
Tonight:
It will be cloudy at times in the northeast and far north, possibly leading to the odd light shower. Elsewhere, there will be long clear spells, with mist and freezing fog patches in sheltered spots.
Saturday:
Many places will be clear and dry, with sunny spells in the south and west. Cloud thickens throughout the day, bringing an occasional spot of drizzle in the north.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
It will remain mostly dry over the weekend with a few sunny spells. Cloud increases each day. Temperatures will be below average, and it will feel particularly chilly in the south with brisk winds.
