Wintry showers and heavy snow are set to impact parts of the UK as the New Year approaches, according to the Met Office. With forecasters predicting the arrival of cold northerly flows, the public is told to prepare for unsettled weather conditions.
Starting Sunday, December 29, rain is expected to move across northwestern regions of Scotland, with chief forecaster Neil Armstrong noting, "From Sunday we will start to see some heavy rain affecting northwestern parts of Scotland." After brief interludes, the forecast warns of more rain and strong winds on Monday and Tuesday, with the potential for heavy snowfall particularly high in mountainous areas.
A yellow weather warning for rain will take effect at midnight on Monday, December 30, covering parts of Scotland and expected to last until 11.59pm on Tuesday, December 31. Armstrong stressed, "With such varied and potentially fast-moving weather conditions, it is important for people to keep up to date with the forecast." The predictions are made amid predominantly cloudy conditions prevailing over the UK due to high pressure.
The latest data from WXCharts indicate significant snow accumulation possible from December 30, as Arctic showers sweep across northern Scotland. Temperatures are forecast to plunge to -1C, with reports of 15 counties facing heavy snow on the first day of 2025. Areas such as Wick and Inverness could see around 25cm of snow, marking an abrupt change from the mild weather experienced over Christmas.
Moving to the start of the New Year, the Met Office warns, "Later in the week, wintry showers are likely to be a feature of the forecast as the cold northerly flow becomes established," indicating the potential extension of snowy conditions to more southern regions of the UK. While Scotland is currently bracing for snow, there's also the risk of colder temperatures reaching areas like Fort William, where forecasts predict lows dropping as low as -12C.
Despite the wintry forecast, places such as Gloucestershire are currently facing fog rather than snow. According to regional forecasts, the area is poised to maintain milder conditions, with temperatures around 4C overnight and highs reaching 8C during the daytime. Nonetheless, met office predictions reveal changes on the horizon as we transition from 2024 to 2025.
On January 1, the outlook suggests unstable conditions could sweep across the UK, sparking fears of severe winter weather. The Met Office elaborates, "Rain, stronger winds, and significant snowfall may push southwards to other parts of the UK, along with colder conditions.” This unpredictability extends beyond just rain; the possibility of substantial snowfalls exiting the mountainous north to blanket southern regions is firmly on the table.
Such erratic weather patterns echo the Met Office’s long-range forecast, which spans from December 31 through January 9. They noted, "An erratic change from the mild and largely settled conditions of the past few days is expected," indicating continued fluctuations where the heaviest precipitation remains likely over the northern and western areas. Though milder elements may return later, swift transitions could make for brisk dips and rises around the regions.
With expectations for unsettled conditions to remain troublesome early next week, Britons should brace themselves for potential travel disruptions, muddy farmlands, and cold surprises as they step outside. According to Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist, by the end of the week, things should stabilize somewhat as we move back toward more settled weather. Still, public advisories echo one note loud and clear: stay tuned for updates.
The Met Office urges the public to monitor forecasts closely, not only to understand potential disruptions but also to stay safe as changes are imminent. Traveling conditions could change dramatically, urging drivers to heed warnings and prepare adequately as winter settles across the nation.
