Scotland set for most Christmas snow in UK as forecaster makes prediction

Weather forecasters are predicting that Scotland will see the most snow out of the UK this Christmas.

The latest maps suggest a new cold blast is on the way next week as a result of an Arctic front moving from the north, with temperatures likely to plummet back into the minus range.

While the Met Office is still reporting no signs of a white Christmas, a separate forecaster has warned Scots could see the “whites of the Arctic’s eyes” until New Year’s Day this year. Speaking to the Express, Jim Dale, chief meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services, said Scotland would likely see snow in time for the big day.

Wide shot of person walking in snow covered park

He said: “I think Scotland is in the main frame for Christmas snow but it could well be the run into New Year’s Day that we see the ‘whites of the Arctic’s eyes’ for most other places.” Mr Dale added that while the coming cold system will position itself over the home nation, “most other places” will also get a taste of chilly conditions.

Maps from WXCharts looking at weather patterns high in the atmosphere back up the meteorologists’ predictions, showing a column of cold air descending from the north next week. Charts from the service, which uses data from MetDesk, show conditions 1,500 metres into the atmosphere, where cold fronts develop.

WXChart map

The 850hPa temperature maps suggest that Iceland’s colder atmosphere will drift south with the first snow arriving in the north of Britain from December 21. Atmospheric temperatures of -5C translate to still mild lows of 5C on land, and these will gradually drop as the cold weather continues to move.

By December 25, the cold atmosphere appears likely to settle in a strip across northern England and Scotland, driving surface temperatures to a minimum of -2C north of the border and 5C further south. The forecast is still distant, however, and subject to change over the next 10 days, with the Met Office currently reluctant to issue a concrete Christmas Day forecast.

It comes as yellow and “danger to life” amber weather warnings for are in place across the northwest of Scotland this weekend – where up to 150mm of rain is set to fall in most areas and 200mm over west facing slopes. The forecaster warns the torrential rain could prompt shallow landslides and debris flow across the south of Argyll.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “This weekend will be mild across the UK with high pressure in the south maintaining a settled theme. However, a slow-moving front will bring a spell of heavy rain to northwest Scotland.”

“Into early next week, this weather front will move slowly south and bring some rain to the remainder of the UK. As the front clears south, temperatures will return to near average. It will remain changeable through midweek, with the best of any prolonged drier spells in the south and east.”

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