Britain is preparing for a 21-hour snow event, with updated weather maps showing the timing and locations of the upcoming snowfall. The wintry showers are expected to start in Scotland on December 15 and then progress southward, affecting Northern Ireland, Wales, and parts of northern England. By 9 am, the heaviest snow is forecasted for southern Scotland’s Galloway Forest Park, the Lake District, and the Pennines, with lighter snowfall also predicted in Northern Ireland.
Snowfall is anticipated to intensify in North Wales, particularly Snowdonia, by 3 pm on December 15. As the weather system moves across the British Isles, regions not experiencing snowfall may see rain, especially in central and northern England. Snow coverage maps for 9 pm on December 15 show significant accumulations in various parts of the country, with several inches expected in North Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland.
The Met Office has suggested the possibility of snowfall in the UK during the latter half of December. Their long-range forecast for December 16-30 indicates a higher chance of dry weather due to potential high-pressure systems, though some rain, showers, and hill snow are still expected, particularly in the north. Overall, temperatures are likely to be near or slightly above average, with occasional colder spells.
Bookmakers have reduced the odds on a White Christmas this year, with increased bets on snowfall on December 25 in the United Kingdom. The last official White Christmas was in 2023, while significant snowfall across the country was last recorded in 2010, with 83% of weather stations reporting snow on Christmas Day that year.