New weather maps suggest that parts of the UK, particularly north-west Scotland, could be blanketed with continuous snowfall for at least nine days, beginning December 20.
According to WXCharts, which uses data from MetDesk, heavy snow is expected to hit the Highlands, Grampian Mountains, and Cairngorms in the lead-up to Christmas. This raises hopes for a white Christmas in Scotland, something last seen in 2021. The last time the entire UK experienced widespread Christmas snow was back in 2010. Current forecasts show no snow for England, Wales, or Northern Ireland during the festive period.
Snow Timeline Across Scotland
- Dec 20–23: Snowfall concentrated in north-west Scotland.
- Christmas Eve: Snow begins to spread eastward, reaching cities like Aberdeen and Glasgow.
- Christmas Day: Wintry conditions persist across central and eastern Scotland.
- Boxing Day: Snow settles more widely in central and eastern regions.
- Dec 27 onward: Snow retreats to north-west Scotland.
Counties Likely to See Snow (Dec 24–26)
- Highland
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- Perth and Kinross
- Angus
Met Office Long-Range Outlook
Between December 19 and 28, the Met Office expects showers and periods of rain across much of the UK, with conditions gradually settling over the weekend. Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to see calmer weather first, while southern regions may experience lingering rain.
Looking ahead to the week of Christmas, high pressure is forecast to dominate, bringing colder temperatures, frosty nights, and morning fog across the country.
