The UK is gearing up for three consecutive days of snowstorms, as wintry weather spreads across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Forecasts indicate that up to 22 counties across these four nations could experience snowfall between Wednesday, 10 December, and Friday, 12 December.
In England, snow may reach as far south as Dorset’s coastline, with other counties in the southwest also at risk. Counties expected to face snow include Dorset, Derbyshire, Somerset, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, Durham, and Lancashire. In Wales, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are likely to be affected. Scotland’s Highlands, Western Isles, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and Perth and Kinross are also on alert. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Antrim, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone counties may see snowfall as well.
Meteorologist Ian Simpson from Netweather TV explained the weather patterns behind the forecast: “Some models are suggesting Britain will experience an easterly airflow, typically a south-easterly air mass coming from southeastern Europe, which tends to be milder for this time of year.”
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He added that a blocking high pressure system is expected to remain over eastern Scandinavia and western Russia, positioning it too far east to significantly influence Britain’s weather. This prevents the development of a classic cold easterly pattern, which usually requires the Scandinavian high to extend westwards toward Greenland and Iceland.
Mr. Simpson also noted that the first half of December is likely to be very wet across western Britain due to slow-moving rain-bearing frontal systems pushing against the Scandinavian high. “This period also has the potential to be dull, with overcast conditions dominating, occasional mist, and fog,” he said.
While some Decembers bring above-average sunshine, especially to eastern Britain, those tend to occur when frontal systems move quickly from west to east and are interspersed with bright, showery weather and polar maritime air masses.
Looking ahead to December 2025, Mr. Simpson anticipates a continuation of slow-moving fronts and gray, misty or foggy conditions in between spells of rain, shaping a mostly dreary start to the winter month.