UK Weather: White Christmas for northern areas of England and Scotland, rain in southern England

It’ll be an unsettled Christmas for much of the UK, with some persistent rain expected in southern areas and the chance of some snow in the high ground of northern England and Scotland.

Cloud and rain will take charge for much of the Christmas weekend over southern areas of the UK, with bands of rain tracking eastwards. Highest rainfall totals are expected in southwest England and southern Wales, where up to 40 mm could fall in a few spots over a 12-hour period on Christmas Day.

As this band of rain moves northwards, there’s a continued chance of some late Christmas Day snow for the high ground of northern England and possibly southern Scotland, with a greater chance developing into the early part of Boxing Day.

A warning has now been issued, for snow over some upland areas, which coupled with strong, gusty winds could lead to some hazardous travel conditions, for anyone travelling early on 26 December. The odd flake of snow could also fall on the high ground of northern England and north Wales early on Christmas day.

The clearer conditions in the north will also coincide with colder air, which has triggered a UK Security Agency Cold Weather Alert for some northern and central areas of England, where temperatures will be below freezing overnight. This will be coupled with some gusty winds in the north, which will make it feel even colder.

Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “The Christmas period will be unsettled for much of the UK this year. Many will see wet and cloudy conditions as mild air dominates the south and west of the UK. This contrasts with the cold air in the northeast, which brings that chance of some snow, most likely over the Pennines and the southern half of Scotland, and perhaps a little more likely into the early part of Boxing Day. Added to the mix is a strong easterly wind, especially in northern areas, which will make it feel particularly cold.”