Barmy beach weather in December, but will it be a white Christmas?
BRITAIN could bask in springlike weather next week after the cold snap gave way to one of the warmest December days on record yesterday.
A change in the topsy-turvy weather pushed thermometers towards 60F – some 20F above average for the time of year.
Balmy conditions will last through the weekend although wind and rain threaten to shake things up after the recent calm but cold spell, experts say.
The freak U-turn comes as long-range forecasters report huge uncertainty over the weather for Christmas Day.
Thermometers hit double figures yesterday. Northern Ireland was 60.62F (15.9C) – just shy of the December record for the region – while Wales was 62.6F and Cumbria 60.8F.
Forecasters predict similar highs for at least the next five days as mild winds sweep in from the Atlantic.
It is a stark difference to last week which saw winter kick off to sub-zero temperatures, harsh frosts and freezing fog.
The Met Office said the mercury will hover around 55.4F over the next few days, even as far north as Scotland.
Threaten
However, forecaster Oli Claydon warned milder conditions threaten heavy and persistent rain and strong winds were expected last night. He said: “It is going to turn more unsettled with rain and the risk of gales in exposed regions, gusts of 70mph were likely on Wednesday night in north-west Scotland.
“Temperatures are expected to hit the low to mid-teens. For the end of the week and into the weekend temperatures will still be above-average although there is the potential for some slow-moving bands of rain.”
The Met Office said the change in the weather is partly due to colder conditions in America and Canada strengthening the jet stream.
High pressure responsible for last week’s Arctic snap has moved away from the UK with the combined factors pulling warm air in from the south.
The temperatures – which would usually be around 39F (4C) in December – are up 30F on last week’s big freeze.
The UK record for December warmth is 64.94F recorded in the Highlands of Scotland in 1948 while for England it is 63.86F measured in Devon and Staffordshire in 1985 and 1994.
The record for Northern Ireland is 60.8F set in Murlough, Country Down, in 1994 with the record for Wales 64.4F reached in 1972 in Aber, Gwynedd. Weathermen have warned to make the most of the mild weather with hints the cold will return next week.
WeatherOnline forecaster Simon Keeling said: “Hints are that as we head into the early to middle stages of next week higher pressure may start to build back from the east bringing some drier conditions and cooler temperatures.”
While some experts are confident of a white Christmas, the Met Office’s verdict will arrive around a week before Christmas Day. Coral has stretched the odds on festive snow in London from 5-1 to 6-1 as thermometers rise around Britain. Spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: “The coming days are expected to see warmer than normal temperatures which has stalled the white Christmas gamble for the time being. We have eased the odds on a white Christmas in London but are still bracing ourselves for snow elsewhere.”
But James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said cold weather is on the way for Christmas. He insisted there is “no reason why we couldn’t see some flakes of snow falling” in some places. He added: “There’s the risk of more widespread snow developing during the second half of December and for in and around the upcoming festive period.”
THERE were people punting and playing on beaches yesterday as Britain experienced unseasonably warm weather. At the moment Christmas feels months away rather than weeks. With our weather though you’d still be brave to bet against it being a white one.