UK and Europe weather forecast latest, December 18: Conditions turn colder with snow over northern hills for Christmas

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UK's weather forecast

The UK is bracing for a white Christmas with the chance of snow as far south as the capital, Express reported.

Weather models currently predict conditions turning colder for Christmas, according to Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis. A cold northerly flow from the Arctic is expected to bring freezing temperatures on December 25.

A chart from Netweather shows a 50 percent chance of snow in London on Christmas Day. Meanwhile up to four inches (10cm) of snow is forecast to fall across parts of Scotland, a map from WX Charts shows.

In a Netweather blog, Mr Finnis said: "A cold northerly flow sourced from the Arctic looks to bring a cold Christmas Day, with some wintry showers affecting northern, western and eastern coasts, perhaps a few showers getting inland too, especially further north, snow likely over northern hills, but too far off to say whether it'll be cold enough for snow at lower levels."

The UK is bracing for a white Christmas (Image: GETTY/NETWEATHER)

"What's more certain is that clearing skies overnight will lead to a widespread frost, perhaps early Christmas morning, so maybe more white from frost than snow for most. But too far off to be specific of snow risk for a good few days yet."

Weather forecaster Simon King warned that while temperatures will be mild for the next week, they will plummet by December 25.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We are going to see mild weather over the next week or so and then just in time for Christmas temperatures are going to drop down, so it will turn colder over the Christmas period. Temperatures will come below the average."

"It means for the whole white Christmas thing there will be wintery showers, and while it’s still very uncertain, it will certainly be cold enough over the Christmas period for there to be wintery precipitation. There may be snow for some, but for now though it’s really mild, especially for this time of year."

Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin also said the mercury will drop for Christmas.

There is a chance of snow in the capital for Christmas, according to a weather chart (Image: GETTY)

He said: "If you are dreaming of a bit of snow, well some good news it does look as if it will be turning colder for the Christmas period. But of course you need cold and some moisture for any snow."

Mr Deakin explained that northerly winds are "more likely to dominate" next week meaning it will be colder.

He added: "Colder yes, but will we see any snow? Well at the moment the pressure pattern is just too early to say. One snapshot, the European model for Christmas Day, showing low pressure scooting away."

No real sign of a high pressure here, whereas other computer models do have a big high sitting across the UK.

"So that's why there's uncertainty about the pressure pattern. There's a strong signal, whether it's high pressure or that notherly flow, that it will be colder. So what do we know about the Christmas period, yes, turning colder."

"Where we see showers they could well be wintery because it has turned colder. They are most likely to stay across more northern parts of the UK. But details of the exact pressure pattern just too early to say at this stage."

A chart from Netweather shows a 50 percent chance of snow in London on Christmas Day (Image: NETWEATHER)

On December 18

According to Weather Online, low pressure to the west of Ireland on Friday. A windy day, especially in the west with some gales here. Wet in Scotland, Wales and western England as well as Ireland. A risk of localised flooding in central and southwest Scotland. Drier in central and eastern England although staying rather cloudy here. Some drizzle affecting high ground of southern England. Highs at 10 to 13C.

Photo: Weather Online

Europe's weather forecast

Fair across Spain and Portugal, plenty of sunshine and dry too. Some showers in the Balearics with Corsica and Sardinia being mostly dry and sunny. Plenty of sunshine and dry weather in Italy as well as across Greece and Turkey.

Fair with plenty of sunshine and dry weather in France. A few showers across northern coasts of the Netherlands. Germany will be mostly dry, but some rain in the far north. Poland will be dry with plenty of sunshine. Hungary and Austria as well as Switzerland wil be dry and sunny too.

Photo: Stirimeteo

Photo: Stirimeteo

Rain passing through Denmark. Fine for the Baltic States, lots of sunshine and dry here. Finland is likely to be cool with some sunny spells. Rain across Sweden, most in the north. Norway will have rain in the south but dry in the north.

On December 18

Fair over most of Spain and Portugal on Friday, although there will be some rain in the far northwest. Showers again in the Balearics and around Corsica and Sardinia. Greece and Turkey are staying in fine weather with plenty of sunshine, Weather Online reported.

Photo: Weather Online

More sunshine to come through France, although some rain in the far northwest later. The Low Countries will be breezy with some sunny spells. Germany will be dry with more sunshine to come here. Further sunshine in Poland and dry. Austria and Hungary should be dry and this dry and sunny weather is expected to extend into Switzerland too.

Breezy through Denmark with broken cloud. The Baltic States will have broken cloud. Some brightness in Finland after morning rain clears. Sweden will have rain and strong winds to the south but dry in the north. Breezy for Norway with a risk of some rain and showers.

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