The UK is bracing for a potential “Russian snow bomb” this Christmas, as meteorologists warn of sharply falling temperatures and the possibility of widespread snowfall. Some weather models indicate that snow could fall on Christmas Day, December 25, turning parts of England and Wales white.
Data from WX Charts, which sources information from Met Desk, displays purple, white, grey, and blue colors indicating incoming snow for December 25. Temperatures could plummet to as low as -9°C across England and Wales on Christmas Day.
Nick Finnis from Netweather TV explained the uncertainty in forecast models. “How quickly the trough disrupts to the southwest of the UK and how close low pressure may be is causing variability in how cold the continental air flow over the UK will become,” he said.
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Finnis continued, “The coldest forecast runs show temperatures dropping to -8°C to -9°C at the 850mb level across England and Wales on Christmas Day. This could be cold enough for sleet or snow, especially with a showery easterly flow. In contrast, other models predict a milder southeast flow with rain instead of wintry weather.”
Adding more detail, Finnis noted that the weather models are leaning towards a scenario where deep, cold air over northwest Russia will be drawn westwards. This would occur via a strengthening easterly flow on the southern edge of high pressure sitting to the north, bringing colder conditions to the UK by Christmas Day.
The 12z GFS run forecasts air cold enough for snow showers in northern regions, while the 12z GEM and ICON models suggest snow could fall across much of the UK by the end of Christmas Day.
Tom Morgan, operational meteorologist at the Met Office, highlighted that “next week we expect a shift to drier conditions as high pressure builds over the UK. This will be a marked change from the low pressure systems that have brought persistent wet weather so far this month.”
Finnis advised looking east for weather patterns during the festive period, as the UK could tap into cold air sufficient for snow on Christmas Day. Ensemble forecast charts suggest that these cold conditions may continue through to the New Year, maintaining the chill well into mid-December.