Weather UK snow forecast – Met Office reveals EXACT DATE for White Christmas as blizzards & -5C chill to blast Britain

Local forecasts

Manchester:

Largely dry at first with some hazy sunshine, especially in the north. However, cloud and rain will move across the region from the south throughout the day. Feeling a touch cooler than Sunday with light winds. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

Cardiff:

Largely cloudy with outbreaks of rain, more persistent and heavier in the afternoon. Driest in the far northwest first thing but rain also arriving here later. Very mild in the south, but slightly cooler further north. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Belfast:

Most staying dry and seeing good bright and sunny spells, these more prolonged across Down and around Belfast. Always a touch cloudier around the north coast where the bulk of the few isolated showers appear. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Urgent ‘danger to life’ warning as 90mph winds hit

90mph winds will hit Brits tonight as an urgent "danger to life" weather warning was issued by the Met Office.

Power cuts, travel disruption, and injuries from flying debris are all expected tonight as parts of the country are battered by strong gales.

Intense winds of up to 90mph will hit this evening before easing off in the morning - affecting parts of the Western Isles.

The Met Office warned: "Strong winds are possible during Sunday evening and overnight, before easing quickly during Monday morning.

"There is potential for wind gusts to reach 80 to 85 mph, and in excess of 90 mph in a few locations, particularly over the Western Isles.

"The strongest gusts will be from a westerly or southwesterly direction. However, the very strongest winds may remain just offshore."

Warmest autumn on record for Northern Ireland

Over September, October and November, the mean temperature in the UK was 10.87C, and in Northern Ireland the average was 10.95C, forecasters said.

England had its fourth warmest autumn since records began in 1884, with a mean temperature of 11.64C.

Dr Mark McCarthy, of the National Climate Information Centre, described November as a markedly “mild and dry month” for all areas except the far north west.

He said: “Although many will remember November for the impacts of Storm Arwen, particularly in the North East, the month as a whole has been fairly dry in many areas, with slightly above average temperatures for the period as well.

Energy Secretary to review firms’ operations after Storm Arwen

Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has warned power firms that the Government will review their operations following continuing outages caused by Storm Arwen.

It comes as the Energy Networks Association (ENA) said that 3,190 homes were still waiting to be reconnected as of 2pm on Sunday. This was down from 4,025 homes on Sunday morning.

The majority of the impacted homes were in the north-east of England, the ENA added.

Mr Kwarteng visited the North East on Sunday to survey the damage done by the storm. During a visit to a Northern Powergrid call centre in Penshaw near Sunderland, Mr Kwarteng told the PA news agency: “I think we can make the system a lot more resilient.

“I had an experience on August 9 2019 when a million people in the South East were commuting and they had a power outage. Immediately after that we had a review and we looked at the system and we held the transport and train companies’ feet to the fire and we have got a more resilient system.

“That’s exactly what I want to happen this time. We will have a review, we will see if the distributor companies have enough infrastructure, we may even have enforcement action if necessary.”

Forecast for Friday December 17 to New Years Eve

Getting into the Christmas period, it is likely to be milder than earlier in the month, with temperatures near to above normal, although some colder spells remain possible.

It is likely to become more settled around Christmas and towards New Year with increased chance of overnight frost and fog during clearer spells.

Be careful this winter with black ice

• Stay calm
• Do as little as possible and allow the car to pass over the ice
• Don’t brake
• Try and keep the steering wheel straight
• If your back wheels start to slide left or right very slightly turn the wheel the same way
• If you turn in the opposite directing you risk skidding and spinning off the road
• Slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator

Long range weather forecast for the 6th to the 15th December

The Met Office have said that it will be a cold and frosty December.

They said “A cold start to Monday with overnight frost and ice possible.

“Cloud increasing from the west through the day with outbreaks of rain, possibly wintry down to low levels at times in the north and east of the UK.

“Likely turning windier during the day with strong winds most likely in the west.

“For the rest of the period, unsettled weather dominates with spells of wet and windy weather, interspersed by interludes of sunshine and showers.

“More prolonged spells of rain are possible, heavy at times. Initially these more likely across the south and west, although the greatest risk probably transfers north through the period, which could then see rain turning wintry at times.

” Generally cold, with milder interludes briefly in the south. Overnight frost and icy patches likely throughout.”

How does this week look?

The Met Office have predicted that from Tuesday to Thursday it will be unsettled initially.

Breezy in the north with persistent, rain arriving in the northwest through Tuesday.

Elsewhere, cloudy with rain at times. Becoming more settled later in the week. Mild throughout.

Compensation payments increased after Storm Arwen power cuts

Extra compensation will be paid to tens of thousands of customers left without power following Storm Arwen.

The extreme conditions, deemed a "once in a generation" weather event, on November 26 affected 135,000 Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) customers, mainly in north east Scotland, with the last homes only reconnected nine days later.

SSEN said it will add a 20% goodwill payment to the statutory compensation values set by energy regulator Ofgem.

A £700 cap on compensation was lifted last week, allowing those affected to claim £70 for each 12-hour period they are left without power, after an initial £70 for the first 48 hours.

SSEN said the 20% enhancement means customers will receive up to an additional £210 depending on how long they were without power.

When combined with the removal of the £700 payment cap, this will mean an extra £560 in total for those last to be reconnected.

Yellow wind warnings

The Met Office has issued yellow wind warnings for the northwest of the UK.

The warning has been issued for winds expected to hit late on Sunday and into Monday.

80-85mph gusts are possible over the Western Isles, the far north of Scotland and the Northern Isles and there is a chance of gusts in excess of 90mph in some places.  

The winds are associated with a low pressure system that will form to the west of the UK and is currently set to impact the northwest of the UK. 

Monday to Wednesday outlook

Outbreaks of rain for Monday, generally cloudy with some patchy light rain or drizzle for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Remaining mild or very mild, and becoming windy at times.

Temperatures to PLUMMET in South as frost grips Britain

TEMPERATURES are set to PLUMMET in the South of England on Christmas Day with frost gripping the country, it's been revealed.

Brits will wake up on Christmas Day to fog and frost as temperatures turn chilly during the festive holidays.

The last week of the year is set to be settled weatherwise - but it will be very cold for many.

In the south of England and Wales, temperatures are set to plummet on Christmas Eve, just in time for the big day.

Areas in the North West are set to be slightly milder on December 25.

But the week in between Christmas and New Year is will be chilly, with higher chances of frost and fog as Brits enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

Driver should be careful for debris on roads

Storm Barra is bringing high winds and drivers should be alert to debris on the roads.

Sean Sidley, AA patrol of the year, says: “Storm Barra has been battering the UK with strong winds today and it’s very likely trees and debris will be littering the roads. Drivers should be very cautious especially in rural or woody areas. If you see twigs or small branches on the road it could be a sign that a tree has fallen just around the bend, so pay extra attention to the path up ahead.

“As always in windy weather, leave plenty of space behind other vehicles and adjust your speed to suit the conditions, especially when crossing bridges or passing high-sided vehicles.

“There may be delays so make sure you bring essentials with you on your journey, even if it is only short, such as warm layers, a hot drink and fully charged mobile phone.”

If I can’t get to work because of Storm Barra, does my employer have to pay me?

Sometimes snow makes the journey to work dangerous or downright impossible, leaving some people unable to commute.

So, will you get paid if you can’t make it in work? Unfortunately, there is no automatic legal right to be paid if you miss work due to bad weather.

Employers are entitled to regard your absence as unauthorised, even if it is due to weather circumstances way out of your control.

Travelling to work is your responsibility – but exceptions may be made if the company provide transport such as a bus service which is cancelled.

Some employers may allow staff to use annual leave to cover the snow day or even work from home.

However, it is important to remember your employer should not force or pressure you to unnecessarily attempt the journey if there are legitimate safety reasons why you should not travel.

School’s closed – can I take the day off work?

Parents are entitled to take a reasonable amount of emergency unpaid time off work to look after your children is there is an unexpected disruption in their normal care arrangements.

This could include the closure of a nursery or school due to adverse weather conditions.

However, this time should be used to make alternative arrangements for their care instead rather than caring for your child.

Many employers are more flexible though in these circumstances and will allow employees to take holiday at short notice or, if appropriate, to work from home or make the time up.

Drivers should pack their cars with 5 essentials 

DRIVERS have been urged to pack their cars with five winter essentials before hitting the road as Storm Barra hits the UK today.

Storm Barra will no doubt bring with it dangerous road conditions, with slippery black ice increasing the risk of an out-of-control skid and accidents.

Car insurance provider the AA has shared its essential list of cold journey must-haves – if travel in adverse weather is absolutely essential.

In case of a breakdown, drivers have been told to bring with them a fully-charged phone to call for help.

A flask of hot drink is another must-have to fend off the cold when stationary – while a torch can be used to help see as daylight hours get shorter.

Meanwhile, in case an unfortunate skid sends them off the road, a shovel is needed to make sure drivers can free their cars if stuck in snow.

The insurer also urges drivers to “fully de-ice” their vehicles prior to heading off – including clearing snow from the windows, lights and the roof to help with visibility.

Britain to be battered by SIX more storms this winter

BRITS are braced to be battered by SIX more major storms through winter as the aftermath of Storm Barra sweeps the country. 

Forecasters are warning that the next hammering of the UK is just around the corner – with freezing temperatures creating snowstorms. 

A “perfect recipe” of warm North Sea waters and a La Nina cooling of the Pacific after a placid autumn will drive the misery.

Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “We are expecting one more major storm this month which will set the trend for coming months.

“We expect five to six storms to hit through the winter period which could be severe enough to warrant naming.”

Long range weather forecast for Christmas

The Met Office have said that Christmas day will be settled this year and cold spells will remain.

They said “Remaining generally unsettled at first, with wettest and windiest conditions likely moving further north with drier and brighter spells developing in the south and southeast at times.

“Temperatures likely to be milder than earlier in the month, with temperatures near to above normal, although some colder spells remain possible.

“It is likely to become more settled around Christmas and towards New Year with increased chance of overnight frost and fog during clearer spells.”

Can I still have the Covid booster if I have a cold?

The short answer is yes.

If you are certain it is not Covid you are suffering with and you are well enough to leave home, you can get your third shot with confidence.

It might make you feel a bit rougher than if you weren’t ill, but overall it’s perfectly safe – and you can emerge from your sickly funk safe in the knowledge you are protected against coronavirus.

A cold shouldn’t have an effect on your body’s ability to build an immune response to the flu, even though it is fighting an illness.

NHS guidance says you should still attend your appointment even if you have a mild illness, including a common cold.