When will the widespread snow hit the UK and Ireland? - December Weather Warning 2011

4th December 2011

When will the widespread snow hit the UK and Ireland?

As I stated in one of my recent updates on the 24^th November 2011

“Snow will continue to affect Scotland and become more widespread within this region as we head into next week, with an increasing possibility of snow to lower parts of the UK and Ireland, as we head into the final few days of November and the first third of December. The remainder of December as a whole is likely to feature largely below-average temperatures, with some deep and widespread snow accumulations across many parts of the UK and Ireland, that will continue into January and February. Any required updates will be posted accordingly”

I have stated since very early this year, that I expect December to feature below-average temperatures with widespread heavy snowfall across many parts of the UK. I have also stated “across many parts of the UK” for a good reason, as I will explain.

Weather Warning – Widespread snowfall and much colder temperatures

Now although there is going to be some notable snow about in the early part of next week, as forecast on Exacta Weather on the 8^th November 2011. I am expecting things to significantly change to a more prolonged period of much colder weather with widespread snowfall across many parts of the UK and Ireland, as we head into the latter part of next week and in the run up to and during the festive period. The temperatures in Scotland and many Northern regions are likely to dip below negative double figures at times within this period in the evenings. A white Christmas is also looking increasingly possible across many parts of the UK, especially more so in the regions of Scotland and Northern England in terms of any possible accumulations on the actual day.

Definition of a white Christmas “across many parts of the UK”

A single snowflake must fall at any time during the twenty four hour period of Christmas day at a specified location. Snow already lying on the ground does not count as a white Christmas officially, and I say this as snow is likely to be lying on the ground in many locations on or around this period, if things develop as I expect them to over the coming weeks.

December widespread snowfall “across many parts of the UK”

I am not expecting December to be the most severe month of this meteorological winter, as I expect these conditions to prevail as we head into January and February, and I have also never stated otherwise. I have also stated that there will be some periods of moderation at times and any areas further south are likely to see the best of these conditions.

I am however expecting widespread and heavy snow across many parts of the UK in December, and although the regions I expect to be affected by the most frequent and widespread heavy snowfalls are Scotland, Northern Ireland, North West, North East, and Yorkshire. I am also expecting parts of the West and East Midlands, Wales, and the East to experience some notable and frequent heavy snowfalls in December too. Some moderate to heavy falls of snow are even likely at times across parts of London, South East, and the South West. This is why I have stated since earlier this year“across many parts of the UK in December”.

Northern England and in particular Scotland will experience frequent and very heavy falls of snow throughout December, even at lower levels the snow is likely to lead to some deep snow accumulations at times.

Time to wrap up warm and dust off those sledges!

Below is a copy of the front page of the Strathspey Herald from the 22nd June 2011, based on my winter long range forecast for severe snow in Scotland this winter (December, January, February).

James Madden (UK Long Range Forecaster)

ExactaWeather.com

Published: 4th December 2011 (16:57) GMTContent copyright © 2010-2011. Exacta Weather. All rights reserved.