Snow watch/will it snow at Christmas? thread

[GloriaSmud]

(I know there are a few ‘snow threads’ already running for today/the next few days but this one perhaps can carry on as we head towards Christmas.)

So an early blast of winter this week. Today, a few of us in the south midlands have woken up to an unexpected fall of snow and are covered by revised metoffice weather warnings. After this morning’s snow for the midlands/middle of the country eases, any remaining snow will be confined to the very north of Scotland today and tomorrow.

For the rest of the week, there’ll be some nighttime frosts (and really deep, penetrating ones for the north/Scotland) and daytime temperatures everywhere will struggle to get above freezing in some places. After today, there’s the chance of snow showers, mostly around the western and eastern coasts but some of these might make their way inland.

Over the weekend (this is a bit far ahead to be certain), it looks like a low pressure system comes in from the west, which could bring sleet and snow across northern England and Scotland, (some places in those areas could see quite a bit of snow), but rain everywhere else.

As for Christmas (and it’s way too early for a serious forecast yet), the GFS goes as far as the 5th December and it’s saying average temperatures and dry at the moment. For a bit of fun, Netweather’s Santa shaker has arrived!

Thanks @gloria much appreciated. Shame for all the Christmas events.

thesandwich ~
Netweather raise the possibility that the weekend's storm could become Storm Darragh.

Looking at the GFS wind chart, I'm not surprised at all by the Amber warning that's been issued here for Saturday.

And it's been named ~ Storm Darragh.

Please may I join? I remember OYBK's helpful threads. Are you deputising GloriaSmud ?😁
Thank you for starting this thread. I'm not a fan of snow tbh but DS desperately wants the school to close so he can go sledging! They were cheated out of it with the last snowfall as the school stayed open. We're in the Midlands btw

Welcome @BooseysMom , kick off your shoes and settle in

And it's been named ~ Storm Darragh.
Darragh can go away tyvm. He's dumped an awful lot of wet stuff in my garden this afternoon and now it resembles a lovely duck home😠 Only had 5 minutes of stormy wind that turned the chimney into a kazoo though so hopefully everyone's trees and roofs stay put.

Pixiedust1234 thank you. 😊

Storm Darragh has done the same to our garden, it's like a muddy bog! It never recovered from Storm Burt.

Welcome, BooseysMom (I used to call myself 'Deputy Smud' when OYBBK wasn't around to answer questions!)
Netweather's thoughts on Storm Darragh.

As far as how it's looking when it comes to snow/no snow/the weather at Christmas, at the moment the GFS goes as far as the 21st December and for the few days before the end of the run, it's looking chilly with a chance of snow over the hills.

Red Wind Warning has now been issued.

Take note of what the metoffice says about it here:
Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions.

Don't risk injury to others or damage to your property. If you can do so safely, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; Christmas decorations, bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.

Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors if you can.

Wait... if Darragh isn't coming until Saturday what the heck did we have that was blowing wheelie bins and house sale posts over last night? I spent an hour putting the garden back together this morning as it blew my mini greenhouse over as well 😱

Thank you GloriaSmud Ah, that's funny! I had no idea you were Deputy Smud!
I have realised that when I posted previously Storm Darragh hadn't yet hit our shores! 😳
It's awful here and we're not even in the Amber zone. Very scary. I feel for those in the Red zone.

Yes! I was wondering the same 🤔

I see some of the trashy tabloids are suggesting snow for Christmas.
I know it’s a bit too early to predict. I just hope it’s not mild and dull like normal. I’d take cold right now.

Delatron ~ Christmas week has now come into range on the GFS and at the moment, from about the 22nd onwards, it's looking chilly with maybe a few snow showers about.

Ooh thanks @GloriaSmud that’s quite exciting!

The long-range forecast from the metoffice thinks it's a mostly unsettled picture for the next few weeks but there's a chance of more settled conditions from late December/into the New Year.

Sunday 15th-24th December
Sunday looks like being wet and windy in the north, especially western Scotland, whilst southern parts are likely to be dry, bright and breezy. All parts will be mild or very mild. Thereafter, while high pressure may try and build at times, especially in the south, the more likely scenario is for an unsettled regime to dominate. Occasional spells of rain followed by blustery showers are likely, these most frequent and perhaps wintry at times in the northwest. It may be quite windy at times too, especially towards the north. Southern areas have a greater chance of some lengthier drier spells, although even here it is still likely to be unsettled and breezy at times. Temperatures will vary around average, with oscillations between colder and milder interludes.

Wednesday 25th December - Wednesday, 8th January
Mainly unsettled conditions appear likely for most, with spells of wind and rain followed by showers affecting most areas but especially towards the northwest of the UK. Some sleet and snow is also likely at times, especially on high ground in the north. However, there are also some signs that more settled conditions are possible at times, these perhaps most likely across the south late in December or into early January. Temperatures are likely to be around or slightly above average overall, but with any more settled interludes bringing a risk of frost and fog.

@Delatron ~ it is a bit more exciting than dull/grey. Like you, I'd take cold/ frosty with a bit of sun rather than dull and drab over the Christmas/New Year period. Maybe the odd flake of snow would be nice too.....

I have a lot of driving to do over the week before/during Christmas - East Anglia to south Wales and then down to Dorset and on to London. Nervous passengers and lots of country roads. So I am ok with that forecast. Now I just have to think about roadworks.
Appreciate the lack of snow might be a let down for others though.

That would be perfect!

So at the moment, the GFS thinks....

the few days before Christmas Day, unsettled and mild (temperatures might get into double figures. Hopefully there'll be some sun in the settled periods as well and not just gloom, like we've had recently.)

Christmas Day....
Dry and mild in the south ~ temperatures 10 or 11C
Rain in the north ~ 5 or 6C
Might be a chance of snow over the Scottish hills, overnight Christmas Day into Boxing Day.

The few days after Christmas Day, still unsettled at times but temperatures more 5-6C (what they should be for the time of year.) Still a chance of snow for Scotland/over the hills.

Thanks @GloriaSmud dry and mild is better than wet and mild. Would love a crisp cold spell though with lots of sunshine…

If anyone's hoping for a White Christmas ~ oh dear, it isn't looking good....

It's looking like the only chance of snow might be over Scottish hills at the moment. Everywhere else ~ might be the odd shower but mostly dry and temperatures between 7C (in the north) and 10C (south/SW.)

Looks mild in the south doesn’t it?! Oh well I’d take sunshine and a lack of rain right now.

Thank you GloriaSmud
Wishing you a merry Christmas