The UK is set to be hit by a marathon bout of wintry weather, with forecasters predicting a single, 21-hour snow storm to sweep across parts of the country in mid-December.
Snowfall Timeline and Heaviest Hit Regions
The extended period of snowfall is expected to begin on December 15, as a frigid Arctic blast pushes southwards. The event will start in northern Scotland before gradually tracking south throughout the day.
Northern areas are braced for the most significant accumulations. The heaviest snow is anticipated in:
- Galloway Forest Park in southern Scotland.
- The Lake District.
- The Pennines.
By 3 pm on December 15, heavy snow is also predicted to cover North Wales, particularly the Snowdonia region.
Conditions Across the Nation and Accumulation Predictions
While the north faces a whiteout, central and northern England are more likely to experience heavy rain. Northern Ireland can expect a lighter dusting of snow as the system passes.
Snow maps indicate that after the full 21-hour onslaught, several inches of snow will settle on the ground across large swathes of the country. Significant accumulations are predicted for:
- North Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Northern England, including West and North Yorkshire.
- Nearly all of Scotland.
Long-Range Forecast and White Christmas Hopes
The Met Office's long-range forecast for the latter half of December suggests a greater chance of high pressure, leading to drier weather, frost, and fog. While temperatures may be near average, the risk of hill snow, mainly in the north, remains.
This incoming Arctic weather has had a direct impact on festive betting. Bookmakers have dramatically slashed the odds on a White Christmas this year. A White Christmas is officially declared if snow is observed falling anywhere in the UK on December 25.
