White Christmas for Scottish Highlands, north Wales and the Pennines
Families in northern England and Scotland have woken up to a white Christmas this morning – after hopes of widespread snowfall for Britain were dashed by a band of rain across the rest of the country.
Forecasters had issued a cold weather warning for the festive period, with temperatures dropping to below zero in the Scottish Highlands and the Pennines.
And photos from Braemar, one of the highest towns in Britain at an elevation of 1,110 feet (339m), showed Scotland had received a healthy covering of the white stuff.
The Fife Arms Hotel in the centre of the town looked picture perfect as snow continued to fall in chilly -1C temperatures.
Snow was also predicted to fall in Snowdonia, North Wales, and the Pennines.
It was however disappointment for the majority of England, with milder conditions and temperatures dominating before a band of rain from the Atlantic is expected to sweep in.
Parts of Devon and Cornwall and England’s south coast remained in double figures this morning, with temperatures in Plymouth at 11C.
Rainfall is expected over southwest England and southern Wales for the rest of the day, with some spots being hit by up to 40mm in a 12-hour period. North east England will see mostly mild conditions.
Children’s dreams of a snowy Christmas may not be completely lost however, as forecasters have predicted more snow arriving on Boxing Day.
Families in northern England and Scotland have woken up to a white Christmas this morning – after hopes of widespread snowfall for Britain were dashed by a band of rain across the rest of the country. Pictured: Braemar in Scotland, one of the highest towns in Britain at an elevation of 1,110 feet (339m), is seen covered in snow this morning
Forecasters had issued a cold weather warning for the festive period, with temperatures dropping to below 0C in the Scottish Highlands
The weather had proved a disappointment for the majority of England, with milder conditions and temperatures dominating before a band of rain from the Atlantic is expected to sweep in. Pictured: A group of swimmers go for a Christmas day dip at Tynemouth Beach on the North East coast
While snow fell across higher areas of Scotland and north Wales, the rest of England saw only mild conditions with a band of rain expected for the southwest. Pictured: Dog walkers enjoy an early morning stroll along Sandhaven Beach in South Shields, South Tyneside, at sunrise on Christmas Day
Southern England and Wales have had a much milder start to the day, with temperatures around 10C and rainfall expected throughout the day. A heavy band of rain is expected over Northern Ireland. North east England is expected to remain more dry, while Scotland will see the snow
The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place, stretching from Leeds, Yorks to Perthshire in Scotland tomorrow, and have said snow and ice will probably disrupt some road and travel routes. It said some short-term loss of power was also possible
The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place, stretching from Leeds, Yorks to Perthshire in Scotland tomorrow, and have said snow and ice will probably disrupt some road and travel routes. It said some short-term loss of power was also possible.
Motorists driving to see family and friends in South Wales and south-west England have been warned to take care on the roads as heavy downpours could hit both regions.
Temperatures are expected to plunge as low as minus 2C in parts of the north and east of England between Christmas Day and December 28, prompting a cold weather warning from the Met Office.
But the weather across most of the UK will be slightly warmer than average for this time of year, forecaster Simon Partridge said.
Southern England is expected to see mild temperatures of between 7 and 9C, with spells of rain and cloud.
Dozens have taken advantage of the milder conditions to join in with traditional Christmas Day swims across the country.
At Felixstowe in Suffolk, around 500 spectators gathered to watch swimmers in fancy dress dive into the North Sea for the annual Christmas dip
The Christmas Day dip at Felixstowe, now in its seventeenth year, has been raising money for St Elizabeth Hospice. Pictured: Swimmers dressed as penguin look at on the North Sea
Around 40 swimmers from the Serpentine Swimming Club were seen taking a dip in the Hyde Park lake’s chilly waters for the annual 100-metre Christmas morning race.
Meanwhile at Felixstowe in Suffolk, around 500 spectators gathered to watch swimmers in fancy dress dive into the North Sea for the annual Christmas dip.
The event, now in its seventeenth year has been raising money for St Elizabeth Hospice.
Mr Partridge said: ‘On the high ground, we’re quite likely to see a white Christmas, on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
‘It’s quite limited snow, but we’ll probably see some snow on both days.’
Mr Partridge said colder, brighter spells were expected for Scotland.
However, low cloud and fog will roll in across the Midlands and up towards the Scottish border, also taking in Northern Ireland.
