The nights are getting colder and the festivities have begun - but as the big day draws ever-nearer, will we see the first white Christmas in more than a decade or is it going to be a wash out? The Met Office has delivered the forecast.
Christmas in 2010 was the coldest on UK record and the last time snow covered the North East while we unwrapped our presents. But after recent turbulent weather across the North East, with many people still recovering from the flash floods, we cannot be sure what will happen.
The Met Office has now delivered its early long range forecast which includes December 25, but says there is great deal of uncertainty around how the weather is going to play out.
For December 1 to December 10, the Met Office says: "Thursday is likely to be cloudy for most with early morning fog possible, occasional rain in the northwest with a possibility of lighter, scattered showers extending further eastwards at times.
"During the following few days, a continuation of more settled weather is favoured for most of the UK, with a chance of unsettled weather mainly limited to the northwest in the form of rain, showers and potentially some stronger winds.
What the Met Office says about a White Christmas...
"Temperatures are expected to be around or a little below average through the start of December, which will feel cold compared to recent mild conditions, particularly in the south and east. If unsettled weather does return to the northwest, temperatures may recover to normal here."
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For the period of December 11 to December 25, the Met Office says: “Confidence remains low for this period. Conditions are expected to be more settled than of late, with the potential for high pressure to be located close to the UK, at least at first,” the forecast read.
“With time, however, we may see a return to frontal systems moving in from the west, with drier interludes between. Whilst temperatures may average out close to normal overall, colder conditions are possible at times, with a risk of overnight frost and fog.”
And so sadly, there is no mention just yet of snow falling on Christmas Day, but one thing that looks set to stay over the next few days at least is a heavy amount of fog.
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Here is the North East forecast for the next five days:
Tonight:
High cloud dissipating, with winds easing. Areas of mist and fog developing, mainly in the east, with the chance of frost. Patchy cloud and isolated showers moving into western parts. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
Monday:
Mist and fog patches only slow to clear. Otherwise, mainly dry with long sunny spells and light winds. A few mist or fog patches perhaps returning during the evening. Maximum temperature 7 °C.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Low cloud, mist and fog frequent throughout, especially overnight, but persisting through the day in places. Otherwise mainly dry, but feeling cool with patchy frosts possible overnight. Showers possible Thursday.
And so, no snow. But with some hope, luck, and a little bit of Christmas magic, we may still see a white Christmas yet.
