Snowfall is expected in various parts of the UK just before the holiday season. According to the latest WXCharts data, southern England, including areas like Hampshire, Dorset, and Kent, could experience snow showers. The forecast indicates that snow is likely to begin falling in the early hours of Sunday, December 21. In Dorset, locations such as Weymouth, Poole, and Bournemouth are predicted to receive the heaviest snow, with up to 10mm per hour expected at 6am and possibly accumulating to 5cm by midday.
Meanwhile, Hampshire may also see some snow around noon, with the Waterlooville area of Havant likely to experience heavier snowfall, potentially settling up to 2cm. Moving eastward, patches of snow are anticipated in Maidstone and Folkestone in Kent, where the weather maps show snowfall of up to 1mm per hour starting from midday.
Contrary to these predictions, the Met Office’s long-range forecast for the period from December 15 to December 24 does not mention snow. Instead, the forecast points to more rain, potentially heavy and prolonged at times. The outlook includes some drier spells, particularly in southeastern parts of the UK, with windy conditions, especially in the north and west, where very strong winds may develop early next week.
The upcoming days are expected to bring overnight frost and patches of fog, with conditions projected to become calmer in the lead-up to Christmas. This follows earlier forecasts from WXCharts indicating the possibility of snow arriving shortly before Christmas, with northern Scotland expected to see snowfall across the Scottish Highlands and Cairngorms National Park.
NetWeather also suggests a snow risk zone extending for nearly 400 miles, potentially reaching Northern England, although northern Scotland is likely to be most affected. The Met Office has emphasized the challenges of accurately predicting snow in the UK, particularly weeks in advance, noting that minor changes in temperature, wind patterns, or precipitation can significantly impact snowfall outcomes.