Those dreaming of a 'White Christmas' in the North East may be set for a pleasant surprise over the festive weekend as the Met Office has forecast wintry conditions.
The leading meteorologists have forecast a chilly holiday season for the region with cold air and wintry conditions likely for the North East.
Although the Met Office admit that confidence is 'unusually low' for this period in relation to the exact conditions one should expect, they do forecast a north/south divide nationwide with the risk of cold air, wintry showers and snow more significant in northern regions.
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As we head towards the new year, the Met Office are expecting temperatures to plummet further with 2022 set to conclude with colder conditions and wintry showers.
Here is the long-range weather forecast for the UK for between December 24 and January 2.
"Confidence is unusually low for the Christmas weekend; a north/south divide with cold air, wintry showers and increased risk of more significant snow in the north, and milder conditions with rain and showers in the south, is likely, but where the boundary will be is very uncertain.
"Eventually, as we head towards the New Year, the colder conditions are more likely to come to dominate, with wintry showers in the north and potential for a more settled spell to develop.
"This would bring below average temperatures, potential for areas of freezing fog with widespread overnight frosts, and very low temperatures given any snow cover.
"Towards the end of the period, there are signs of a trend towards more changeable weather, with an upturn in temperatures."
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said: “From mid-week we expect to see a north / south split develop with colder weather arriving in the north, while the south hangs onto the mild conditions.
"There are, however, large uncertainties concerning where the boundary between these two air masses will eventually end up, especially as we head into the Christmas weekend.
“Uncertainty in the weather forecast details is not unusual at 6-7 days out, and the current weather patterns are heightening those uncertainties.
"Confidence in the forecast is unlikely to increase until mid-week at the earliest and a range of outcomes are still possible.
“However, what we can say is that Christmas Day will most likely be mild with a risk of rain or showers in places for the south, especially the far south, while any cold air and wintry conditions will most likely be confined to the north of the UK.”
"Towards New Year, there is potential for a more settled spell to bring overnight frosts and morning fog, before a probable trend towards more changeable and milder conditions."
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