The UK is bracing for a “snow bomb” as the first four counties in England prepare to experience snowfall next week, raising hopes for a white Christmas in some areas. According to maps from WX Charts, which utilize data from the Met Desk, snow is expected to begin along the Kent coast around 6pm on Christmas Eve before spreading inland overnight. Sussex, Suffolk, and Norfolk are also forecast to see snowfall in the early hours of Christmas Day.
While these eastern counties anticipate snow, the rest of the UK is expected to endure predominantly wet and windy conditions. The advanced GFS weather model predicts rainfall across southern England, the Midlands, and much of Scotland throughout the holiday period.
The Met Office forecast for Thursday, December 18, details a mix of weather conditions: northern areas will have bright spells with showers, whereas the south will face heavy, prolonged downpours and strong winds likely to cause travel disruptions. Rain is anticipated to clear eastward by evening, giving way to clearer skies and scattered showers overnight with mild but blustery conditions.
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On Friday, December 19, the forecast expects sunny spells interrupted by scattered showers, with the driest weather in the south and east. Showers will be most frequent in northern and western regions, and thunder is possible. Winds will remain strong but temperatures will hover near average.
From Saturday through Monday, a series of rain spells are likely to gradually move in from the west while eastern regions experience drier periods. Cloud cover and wind speeds are expected to ease by Sunday.
BBC Weather adds that this week will remain unsettled with multiple bands of rain and strong to severe gales, particularly around the Irish Sea and parts of northern and western Scotland. Flooding risks may increase, especially in southern Wales and southern England, due to persistent heavy rain.
Residents in the first counties to receive snow—Kent, Sussex, Suffolk, and Norfolk—should prepare for wintry conditions, while much of the UK braces for rainy, windy weather as the festive season approaches.