Weather models indicate the possibility of snow hitting various regions later this month, with a potential 12-hour blizzard on the horizon. The GFS weather model predicts wintry conditions on Boxing Day, with snowfall expected in Northern Ireland and Ireland starting at midnight on Christmas Day.
As a weather front moves across the country from the Atlantic, rain is also expected. By 3 am on Boxing Day, snow is projected to fall in the Peak District, the north-west of England, and around Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Scotland.
Flurries are anticipated in North Wales, the Pennines, and southern Scotland around 6 am, with the Galloway Forest Park likely to experience intense snow at that time. Manchester and areas north of the city could see snow around 9 am, while Glasgow may also be impacted as wintry weather spreads across Scotland.
Snow coverage maps for midday on Boxing Day reveal widespread snow settling on the ground in western parts of Northern Ireland, North Wales, northern England, and a significant portion of Scotland. The Met Office expects snow to primarily affect higher ground later this month, with forecasts indicating a trend towards drier weather in the south, with rain and strong winds more likely in the north. Temperatures are expected to remain close to normal.
According to BBC Weather, there is increased uncertainty in the forecast for the Christmas period and into the New Year. While temperatures are predicted to be near or above average, there could be a higher chance of frosty nights. Snowfall is expected to remain limited to higher elevations in the north, with a possibility of drier and calmer periods as high pressure influences weather patterns.
By early January, high pressure is forecasted to have a more significant impact on north-western Europe, potentially leading to drier and calmer weather conditions. The alignment of high pressure systems could result in chillier temperatures closer to seasonal averages, with increased chances of frosty and foggy nights.
