Icy weekend ahead slashes odds on a white Christmas

It may be cold comfort to those shivering through it, but icy weather this weekend will double the chances of a white Christmas, say experts.
Forecasters believe the torrential rain has now ended after nearly two months, and a cold blast is about to send temperatures plunging below freezing, with fog, ice, sleet and even snow.
In some parts of the country, the weather system moving in from Scandinavia means it is now odds on  for the first white Christmas since 2004, says one forecaster.

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The Met Office expects overnight frosts this weekend, especially in northern areas, with temperatures dropping to -3c or -4c.

 

This will be followed by a brief spell of slightly milder weather, but the run-up to Christmas is then expected to be even colder.
The Met Office won't be drawn yet on the odds of a white Christmas but independent analyst Positive Weather Solutions has now doubled its estimated chance of snow falling on December 25.
The company said Scotland and the North-East of England have a 59 per cent probability; the East Coast 55 per cent, with the rest of the North, mid-Wales and the Midlands at 32 per cent.

The South has a predicted 18 per cent chance and the South-West 10 per cent.
William Hill has slashed odds for a white Christmas to 6-1 for London and Newcastle, 7-1 for Manchester and just 3-1 for Aberdeen.

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Senior forecaster Jonathan Powell said: 'For the first time since 2004, there is a definite chance of snow this Christmas. The chances of parts of the UK seeing a white Christmas now look favourable.
'A cold pool of Arctic air is pushing down across the nation and will introduce sustained chilly and frosty weather.
'With the introduction of several weak rain-associated weather fronts, any rain will readily turn to snow - so there is a greater possibility of waking up to snow on Christmas Day.
'The most likely area is down the eastern side of the country and over Scotland. But there is the possibility scattered snow showers will push further inland, perhaps reaching the Midlands and even London.'
New Met Office figures reveal rainfall from October 16 to December 6 was 319.8mm (12.59in) which is 64 per cent above average for this period. It was also the wettest November on record with further records for 24-hour and 48-hour rainfalls.
However, last month was the seventh-warmest November in central England, according to records dating back to 1659. Autumn was 1.2c warmer than normal.