It's cold, right now. Temperatures have dropped in the city and county, there are weather warnings in place but the big question for those who are hoping for a white Christmas, is when will it snow?
If you are itching to dust off your sledge, then the snow forecast is what you've been waiting for. This week, the Met office issued two weather warnings. One for ice and another - a sinister sounding 'level 3' weather warning. This level of alert indicates a 90% probability of severe conditions and is in place between now and Monday, December 12. For the full story about what numbered weather alerts mean, follow the link here.
So, what do we have in store? The forecast for the next few days remains very cold. Lows of -3C have been predicted for Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. And lows for the remaining days up until Wednesday, December 14, aren't much warmer. Lows of -2 and -1 are forecast. So with cold air coming from the Arctic to the UK, surely that means snow?
According to Met Office chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, we are in for a mixed bag. He said: “As an Arctic maritime airmass settles across the UK, temperatures will fall with widespread overnight frosts, severe in places, and daytime temperatures only a few degrees above freezing. However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells, particularly away from the coast and where winds are light it could feel pleasant in the sunshine. Some patchy freezing fog is also likely. ”
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Mr Willington continued: “Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast and South West England. Showers will turn more wintry with an increasing risk of snow as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground. There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10°C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week."
He warned: “More severe weather warnings may be needed as we head through the week. Keep up to date on the latest weather warnings on our website."
While that is the national picture, for Nottingham and the county there is no snow currently forecast. However, that doesn't mean we definitely won't see a fluttering, as weather patterns can be unpredictable.
Jason Kelly, the Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Through the weekend and into next week cold weather will continue, with an ongoing chance of wintry showers, mainly for coasts, and freezing fog patches inland.
“An area of low pressure may then threaten southern and southwestern parts of the UK through mid-week. Confidence in the exact track of this system is low, but should it push precipitation into the UK, then this would readily turn to snow, with a lower chance of freezing rain. How far north the milder air gets is also open to a lot of uncertainty, but for now, many central and northern areas are likely to remain in the Arctic airmass. "
There is still hope for a white Christmas for those longing for a Christmas card image outside their window this year. According to Oddschecker, there is a 20% chance of snow in the capital on Christmas day (4/1). The website puts Birmingham and Manchester, at odds of 6/1 (14.3% chance).
The outlook for the East Midlands, according to the current Met Office forecast
Today, Thursday, December 8
The Met Office says that today will stay largely dry, with bright or sunny spells by day. However, coastal wintry showers will move southwards this evening, possibly extending inland to give some hill snow. Breezy. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 2 °C.
Tonight
Wintry showers gradually clear by midnight. Becoming largely dry with clear skies developing overnight, leading to a widespread frost and risk of icy surfaces. Chance of isolated freezing fog patches. Minimum temperature -6 °C.
Friday
A chilly start, with a widespread sharp frost and risk of icy surfaces. Otherwise, largely dry with sunny spells. Feeling cold. Chance of some coastal wintry showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 3 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
A very cold period, especially overnight with widespread frosts and some freezing fog patches. Often sunny, away from any lingering freezing fog patches. Showers, wintry at times, predominantly along coasts.
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