Meteorological experts believe that the chances of the UK having a widespread white Christmas in 2022 are ‘high’. It would be the first time since 2010/11 that we would see snow on Christmas Day.
Temperatures have already dropped across the UK, with some waking up this morning (December 10) to find snow on their doorstep. However, some independent weather forecasters believe that this might not be the last we see of it this year. In fact, it might be making a special festive appearance.
Arctic Blast Could Mean We Have A White Christmas In 2022
There are already weather warnings from the Met Office for snow and ice across the UK, particularly in Scotland. Bitter winds of temperatures as low as -11 degrees celsius will blow through from the North East, plummeting temperatures for the rest of the UK.
Jim Dale, a meteorologist for the British Weather Service told Express, “Although this is an emerging story, the run-up to Christmas now shows the best scenario for a widespread White Christmas since 2010/11. Currently, we expect northerlies from Scandinavia and the Arctic to bring much colder conditions through the start of December, and the potential for snow.”
And he isn’t alone, fellow forecaster James Madden also believes that we’ll see snow on Christmas Day, “the prospect for a white Christmas is high.”
Temperatures are currently below average for this time of year. Across the Uk there are measurements of only a few degrees above freezing during the day.
We’re More Likely To See Snow In January
The definition of a white Christmas is to have one snowflake fall in the 24 hours of Christmas Day. With such a low bar, technically, last year had a white Christmas. That being said, the general perception is that we all want to see some snow, not just one flake in London. The Dickensian Scale for a white Christmas is that 40 per cent of stations in the UK report snow on the ground by 9 am on Christmas morning.
The Met Office cannot accurately predict whether we will get snow on Christmas Day until about five days before. So, we will all just cross our fingers and keep dreaming of a white Christmas.
If we don’t get any this side of New Year, then The Met Office says we are more likely to see snow in the early months of 2023.
“We are more likely to see snow between January and March than in December, with snow or sleet falling an average of 3.9 days in December, compared to 5.3 days in January, 5.6 days in February and 4.2 days in March.”
White Christmases were much more likely before the 20th century. Particularly before the calendar was adjusted in the 18th century to make Christmas 12 days earlier. This is largely due to the effects of climate change and has only seen four Dickensian white Christmases since 1960.
The idea of snow falling on Christmas Day is a very festive thought. So let’s hope these early predictions are right!
