BRITS have been told to brace for a icy -1C freeze as temperatures drop just days before Christmas – as weather warnings for snow are part in place.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in Sctoland and parts of the north of England, which is in force from 3pm today until 11am on Christmas Eve.
One forecaster says that if a particular weather system shapes up in the days to come, some areas could record a whopping 10 inches of snow on the big day, starting from early morning in many places.
Meanwhile, forecasters have predicted the exact date Brits will see snow this month – with with blizzards and biting winds blasting in some parts of the country.b Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook has said it may well be a very white Christmas after all, and it'll be an "all-time classic" for snow fans.
The charts show temperatures as low as -6C in parts of Scotland, while snow would fall across much of the country – including in the south.
Read our weather live blog for the latest news and forecasts
- Joseph Gamp
A safe drive home for Xmas
StressFreeCarRental.com are providing motorists with their Christmas road trip checklist for those looking to pack up their cars and hit the roads this winter.
A few simple checks will help significantly to help drivers relax and enjoy the Christmas songs on their journey.
- Presents – Most importantly of all, drivers should ensure they have all of their presents and cards on board before setting off on their festive journey!
- Emergency kit – On dark wintery nights, driving conditions can change drastically and leave drivers in a situation they were not prepared for
- Lights – As the days get shorter, ensuring all vehicle lights are functioning properly is not only essential but also a legal requirement.
- Tyres – Snow, sleet, rain and frost can all have a huge impact on the terrain, meaning tyre upkeep is more important than ever in the winter months.
- Windscreen – Winter weather can be unpredictable and having full visibility can prevent any potential dangers on the road.
- Antifreeze – It is crucial when topping up your antifreeze that the engine has fully cooled down, as the release of pressurised water can cause serious injury
Can you take time off work if your child's school is closed due to snow?
Thankfully, the answer is yes.
You are entitled to take reasonable time off work to deal with an unexpected problem or emergency.
This is sometimes known as "dependant leave", according to Citizens Advice.
Your employer can't refuse dependent leave if you have no other option.
You also won't face disciplinary action or lose your job.
Cloudy start to Xmas Eve – Met Office
The Met Office tweeted: "A cloudy start to #Christmas Eve for many with some dense fog patches around
"Chance of some snow across northern Scotland during the morning
"Rain will push in from the southwest through the day."
- Joseph Gamp
Should I leave my car running to warm it up?
Avoid doing this if you can.
Leaving your car engine going before you start driving doesn’t actually help the engine, but just ramps up your fuel use and emissions.
Cars older than 20 years do need warming up to get going in the cold weather.
But most modern engines adjust their temperature accordingly, so car experts say you shouldn’t leave your car running for more than 30 seconds before driving.
- Joseph Gamp
Long range forecast for Dec 28 – Jan 6
This period remains somewhat uncertain in detail, but generally sees a split between colder air to the north and milder air to the south.
Looking to remain unsettled with further spells of rain for most at first.
To the south, mild, unsettled weather, with rain and occasional strong winds. To the north, more settled conditions with brighter spells and winds slowly easing to lead to perhaps some frost or ice. Becoming very mild across all areas in time.
Along the boundary, potential for significant weather with snow likely at times, in addition to the associated wintry hazards.
Becoming colder than average heading into January with any unsettled, milder spells most likely for the west and south.
- Joseph Gamp
White Xmas odds slashed again
THE ODDS OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS have been slashed once again by Ladbrokes.
As the big day nears there's now six cities in Scotland and Northern England which are odds-on with the bookies to see a sprinkling of snow on December 25th.
Edinburgh is the most likely city at 1/4, with Aberdeen (3/10) and Glasgow (2/5) close behind.
In England it's Leeds (4/9), Newcastle (4/7) and Birmingham (4/6) which are being heavily backed by White Christmas punters.
Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: "Although some areas of the UK may unfortunately see rain on Christmas Day, it's looking very good for Scotland and parts of Northern England which will see a dusting of snow on December 25th, leaving White Christmas punters quids in."
- Joseph Gamp
Weather outlook for Saturday to Monday
Cold with a few wintry showers in the north.
Milder with rain at times in the south.
In between, some rain, sleet or, mainly hill, snow. Breezy in places.
- Joseph Gamp
Some areas will 'turn drier this evening' says Met Office
The Met Office said: "Much of the country turning drier this evening with a few clear spells, mainly in the west.
"Low cloud, mist and patchy #fog forming in places
"Occasional spells of #rain in northern England with more persistent rain and hill #snow in northern Scotland."
- Joseph Gamp
Quick summary of tomorrow's weather
What's in store for Christmas Eve's weather?
Scotland cold and windy with early rain and hill snow sinking south into far northern England later.
Elsewhere, early fog patches then rain, heavy at times, spreading from the west.
- Joseph Gamp
Weather summary for tonight
The Met Office has released a short forecast for the weather this evening and tonight.
We can expect cloudy conditions with spells of rain and hill snow over Scotland.
However, in other areas it will be drier with some clear spells but also risk of fog patches, mainly situated around eastern England and Northern Ireland.
- Milica Cosic
Xmas day 'snowbomb' set to dump FOOT of snow
BRITS are bracing for a Christmas Day "snowbomb" as a FOOT of the white stuff could hit parts of the country with flurries expected across south England.
Forecasters are warning of "unsettled weather" over the festive period as the Met Office confirmed some areas could see snow fall.
But according to one forecaster, Brian Gaze of The Weather Outlook, Christmas Day morning could see up to a foot of snow in parts of Scotland with lighter coverings in East Anglia and the Midlands.
He says it may well be a very White Christmas after all, and it'll be an "all-time classic" for snow fans.
- Milica Cosic
‘Snowbomb’ to hit in DAYS
The UK will be plunged into freezing temperatures as it could be hit by a “snowbomb” in just a few days.
Most areas within the UK are also set be covered in the white stuff on Christmas Day.
The Met Office said snow could be possible for some parts of Britain on December 25, while much of the country is set to see very cold but bright weather.
Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said the snow flurries could arrive earlier than December 27 – and there’s still a good chance some Brits will see snow on Saturday.
The white stuff could fall in parts of the UK as early as Thursday as temperatures plunge this week, according to one prediction.
- Milica Cosic
Yellow weather warning issued until Xmas Eve
The Met Office has announced that it will snow across many northern parts of Scotland, from today 15:00 until 11:00 on Christmas Eve.
Snow may cause some travel disruption, so please be careful when you drive & take necessary precautions.
- Milica Cosic
The checklist: A safe drive home for Xmas
StressFreeCarRental.com are providing motorists with their Christmas road trip checklist for those looking to pack up their cars and hit the roads this winter.
A few simple checks will help significantly to help drivers relax and enjoy the Christmas songs on their journey.
- Presents – Most importantly of all, drivers should ensure they have all of their presents and cards on board before setting off on their festive journey!
- Emergency kit – On dark wintery nights, driving conditions can change drastically and leave drivers in a situation they were not prepared for
- Lights – As the days get shorter, ensuring all vehicle lights are functioning properly is not only essential but also a legal requirement.
- Tyres – Snow, sleet, rain and frost can all have a huge impact on the terrain, meaning tyre upkeep is more important than ever in the winter months.
- Windscreen – Winter weather can be unpredictable and having full visibility can prevent any potential dangers on the road.
- Antifreeze – It is crucial when topping up your antifreeze that the engine has fully cooled down, as the release of pressurised water can cause serious injury
Bookies on a White Xmas this year
Betfair spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: “The latest White Christmas betting from Betfair is good news for fans of festive snowfall, as it’s now odds-on that huge parts of the country experience snow on Christmas, with Scotland and much of the north of England the most likely locations."
- Aberdeen (airport) 3/10
- Edinburgh (airport) 4/11
- Glasgow (airport) 1/2
- Leeds (Leeds Bradford airport) 4/7
- Newcastle (airport) 4/6
- Birmingham (airport) 5/6
- Belfast (airport) 6/4
- Liverpool (airport) 6/4
- Cardiff (airport) 2/1
- Bristol (airport) 4/1
- London (City airport) 4/1
- Dublin (airport) 4/1
- Cork (airport) 10/1
- Milica Cosic
Odds slashed on White Christmas across UK
Betfair odds on a white Christmas across country have been slashed as the most festive snowfall since 2010.
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham all odds-on for snow on Christmas day.
- Betfair have cut the odds on a UK-wide White Christmas, with six locations now odds-on for festive snowfall; Aberdeen (3/10), Edinburgh (4/11), Glasgow (1/2), Leeds (4/7), Newcastle (4/6) and Birmingham (5/6)
- Belfast (6/4), Liverpool (6/4) and Cardiff (2/1) are next most likely locations for White Christmas, with London 4/1
- In the battle to top the Christmas TV ratings list, Call The Midwife (8/15) is odds-on to get the better of Her Majesty, with The Queen’s Speech the 15/8 second favourite. Mrs Brown’s Boys – a previous chart topper – is third favourite at 10/1
- The race for this year’s Christmas Number One single looks all but over, as Betfair make LadBaby, Ed Sheeran & Elton John the hot 1/33 favourites
Bookies odds on a white Christmas
Bookies William Hill have slashed the odds on a White Christmas after meteorologists warned Brits to expect "unsettled weather".
Edinburgh and Leeds are joint favourites for snowy scenes, with odds of 4-9, while Newcastle, Birmingham and Manchester all sit at 10-11.
Scotland’s capital Edinburgh and Leeds now top the betting for a White Christmas.
William Hill spokesperson Rupert Adams said: "As ironic as this may sound, we’re now seeing forecasters slowly warming to the idea of a White Christmas.
"As soon as we ticked into the crucial five-day window of being able to forecast snow, those calling snow on the big day got a bit louder and as a consequence punters have been indulging in a festive flurry flutter with renewed confidence.
"After such a turbulent, and at times torrid, 12 months, wouldn’t it be magical to wake up on Christmas day to blankets of fluffy white snow!"
Weather will be a 'battle' for Brits
Director of Weathertrending, Sarah Thornton, told The Sun the UK will find itself in a "battleground" between freezing air coming from the Arctic and Scandinavia, and much milder air trying to head in from the Atlantic.
"Most models now suggest that the cold air will be winning and spreading lower temperatures southwards as we head through Christmas Day.
"However another assault of mild air will arrive from the southwest through the day, bringing rain. At the boundary between the two, there’s an increasing chance of snow."
Christmas period will be a fairly unsettled
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Bulmer, told The Mirror: “The Christmas period will be a fairly unsettled spell across the UK this year.
"Many will see wet and cloudy conditions as mild air dominates over the south and west of the UK.
"Where this mild air meets colder air trying to sink south there is a chance of some Christmas snow, this looking most likely over the Pennines, however exactly where this boundary will be is still uncertain.
"In the far north cold conditions and clearer skies will bring a more wintry feel. For many areas, a brisk easterly wind will bring a notable wind chill”
Snow could arrive as early as Friday
Meteorologists have previously predicted that snow could arrive as early as Friday in the South.
The Met Office has also warned that blizzards could be in store for Scotland.
"Colder and clearer" conditions are set to take hold on December 25, with northern parts of the country most likely to see snow. – two inches in areas elevated around 1310ft to 1640ft.
Meanwhile, the Weather Outlook suggest "heavy snow" will hit the south coast on December 27.
Met Office confirms exact date ‘two inches’ of snow will fall
THE Met Office has confirmed the exact date that two inches of snow will fall this festive season.
They say that up to two inches of snow could fall in some parts of the UK by Christmas Day – December 25.
Colder air starts to push south from Christmas Eve, bringing along with it some winds and a beautiful blanket of snow in the north.
Temperatures are set to plummet over the festive period as Storm Corrie sweeps in, with the south of the country also expected to see some hill snow.
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for the weekend
Saturday will stay cloudy for many, with rain for most, especially in England and Northern Ireland.
A band of rain will move in on Saturday night, becoming heavy at times. Moderate winds.
Cloudy and wet on Sunday with rain, but snow for Scotland, moving away by the evening. Cloudy with gentle winds
- Milica Cosic
Tomorrow's weather forecast
It will be a damp and overcast day for most tomorrow with light rain over much of the UK.
Tomorrow morning will be misty to the south and there will be drizzle for many, with snow in Scotland.
A band of rain will push across England and Wales tomorrow afternoon, becoming heavy at times. Gentle winds
- Milica Cosic
Tonight's weather
An overcast night for most, with the odd clear spell for Wales, southern England and Northern Ireland, where it will remain dry with mist developing.
For northern England and Scotland, drizzle and light rain showers are likely but will fall as snow over higher ground in Scotland. Gentle winds
- Milica Cosic
Why won’t my car start in the cold?
Not unlike humans needing layers of clothes to brave low temperatures, cars also need a little preparation to get going.
When cars won’t start, it’s often because their engine oil has thickened in the cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the starter motor to spin the engine.
Cold, damp weather can sometimes play havoc on batteries as vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder.
The RAC says the majority of their winter call-outs are to do with car batteries.
Source: Read Full Article
