With Christmas around the corner, our minds are turning to the weather – and recently it’s been, well, pretty naff. Of course, the big question is whether Greater Manchester will have a white Christmas this year, and – don’t shoot the messenger – snow is not looking likely.
This coming weekend (12th-16th Dec), we’re in for quite the storm, with warnings for wind and rain, and temperatures around 11°C. Sunday is looking increasingly wet and windy, with unsettled spells into next week, so approaching the Christmas week, it’s looking pretty damp – so even if it did snow, it would be unlikely to stick.
UK long range weather forecast (Tues 16 – Thurs 25 Dec)
According to the Met Office: “Unsettled at first with spells of rain affecting the UK at times. Some heavy rain is possible anywhere, but it is likely to be heaviest and most persistent in the west and northwest, with sheltered parts of the east and southeast typically drier. Any snow will probably be confined to high ground in the north. Strong winds are possible at times with a risk of gales, especially along coasts and over higher ground. Temperatures are likely to be above normal overall.
“Later in the period, conditions may start to become a little more settled, with rainfall amounts decreasing and drier weather becoming more prevalent, especially in the south. This may mean an increasing amount of overnight fog and frost.”
What counts as a white Christmas?
Officially, only one flake has to fall within the 24 hour period on Christmas Day to make it a white Christmas, so there is hope. Having said that, temperatures aren’t set to be low enough for that, but you never know…
Keep an eye on the weather forecast on the Met Office website.