Will it be a White Christmas? Met Office gives verdict as snow set to fall 'in days'

27 November 2023, 09:08

Every year, Brits wonder whether it is going to be a White Christmas...
Every year, Brits wonder whether it is going to be a White Christmas... Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones you used to know?

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Well, the Met Office has officially given its verdict on whether a White Christmas is in store for Brits this year.

It's been a couple of years since the last White Christmas, with the last one officially recorded in 2022, though no snow was actually recorded on the ground.

According to the Met Office's definition, it is a White Christmas if one snowflake falls in the 24 hours of 25 December somewhere in the UK.

While the national forecaster says the most accurate forecast for a White Christmas can be given between December 20 and 25, its long-range forecast now covers the big day.

Snow could fall on Christmas Day
Snow could fall on Christmas Day. Picture: Getty

Its long-range forecast, which runs from December 11 to December 25, reads: "Conditions are most likely to be changeable through this period.

"Wetter and windier than average conditions are slightly more likely than normal, especially in the west and northwest.

"Temperatures are most likely to be near or above average overall, although this doesn't rule out some spells of cold weather and associated wintry hazards."

Read More: Map shows exact parts of UK facing snow as Britain plunges into freezing temperatures

So, as things stand, at the very least, a widespread White Christmas does not appear likely, though if one snowflake falls, it will be classified as such.

When was the last widespread White Christmas?

The last widespread White Christmas was in 2022
The last widespread White Christmas was in 2022. Picture: Getty

The last white Christmas in the UK was in 2022, when nine percent of stations recorded snow falling.

There were also White Christmases recorded in 2020 and 2021, though again, less than one percent of stations reported snow actually lying on the ground in 2021, and four percent in 2020.

There was no snow recorded in 2018 or 2019, according to the Met Office, and the last widespread White Christmas came in 2010, when there was snow at 83 percent of stations in the UK.

This was the highest ever amount recorded.

Read More: Fresh weather forecast predicts 'snow blizzard' as temperatures hit -10C

It comes amid forecasts that snow is going to fall 'within days'.

According to one forecaster, 'several centimetres' of snow could be on the way very soon.

Some weather charts have also shown snow potential for snow to settle over Scotland towards the end of November and into December.

AccuWather's Jason Nicholls has also said some weather models show there could be snow in Wales and the Midlands as a storm moves south.

Meanwhile, the north can expect "several centimetres", mainly in the Highlands, he told the Express.

Mr Nicholls said: "The consensus of the modelling suggests that the best chance for snow in the UK over the next couple of weeks will be over the Scottish Highlands.

"Several centimetres of snow are likely in the highlands over the next two weeks.'

"I cannot rule out some wet snowflakes mixing with rain in Wales and England around Thursday, November 30," he added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?