Snow Storm Weather Forecast: What to Expect Across the UK This December

Understanding Winter Weather Forecasting

As December progresses, snow storm weather forecasts have become increasingly important for residents across the United Kingdom. Advanced weather modelling suggests up to three separate snowstorms could sweep across the UK in the days leading up to Christmas, with the GFS weather model indicating around half the country could be hit by an Arctic blast. Understanding these forecasts helps individuals and communities prepare for potentially disruptive winter conditions.

Current Snow Storm Predictions

Wintry conditions are expected to begin on December 20, with snow and rain pushed in by an Atlantic front, with Northern Ireland forecast to see the heaviest flurries first, before snow moves across Wales, the Midlands, northern England and Scotland. A second snowstorm is predicted to hit Northern Ireland at 6am on December 21, possibly dumping snow at a rate of 1cm per hour, with the system looking set to drift across much of the UK, with the north-west of England forecast to see some of the most intense snowfall.

Models show a third snowy blast on December 22, spreading several centimetres of snow across Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland. Up to 12cm is possible in northern Scotland, with around 6cm forecast in parts of northern England and Northern Ireland. However, the Met Office maintains a more measured approach to long-range forecasting.

Official Met Office Outlook

The Met Office’s outlook for the next 10 days suggests that, while there will be plenty falling from the sky, it will be mostly rain rather than snow, with the UK set for a spell of unsettled, wet, and at times windy weather. The Met Office outlook for December 20 to January 3 indicates changeable conditions with low pressure systems dominating, meaning showers or longer spells of rain, heavy at times, for much of the UK and some hill snow in the north.

Winds from the southwest will keep temperatures on the mild side, with little sign of any significant cold spells, with ensemble forecasts for London suggesting average temperatures of 10–11°C. Despite sensational headlines, forecasters emphasise the difficulty in predicting snow with precision weeks in advance.

Significance for UK Residents

Snow storm weather forecasts remain critical for travel planning, emergency preparedness, and daily activities throughout December. Snow is most likely to occur in the UK between December and March, with January and February typically seeing the highest frequency of snow events, though Scotland experiences snow on approximately 23 days per year on average, whilst southern England sees significantly fewer snow days.

While multiple weather models suggest potential snowstorms before Christmas, residents should monitor official Met Office forecasts regularly as conditions can change rapidly. The combination of Atlantic weather systems and colder air masses creates uncertainty in precise snowfall predictions, making it essential to stay informed through reliable meteorological sources rather than relying solely on long-range model projections.