Looks like we’re heading for a white Twixmas

YEAR SET TO END ON WINTRY NOTE

THE last few days of the year could deliver a snowy treat for fans of falling flakes as forecasts are pointing towards heavy snow to start next week.

After weeks of dull and wet weather, a pattern change will finally start to arrive tomorrow, which will see a significant plunge in temperatures, along with crisp, winter sunshine.

The cold snap looks set to last throughout the Christmas period, and into the new year. And this colder air is what could become the driver for some snow events ahead of New Year’s Day.

The first snowfall of the astrological winter could even arrive in Derbyshire today, as a band of rain crosses over and meets the cold air – but any snow is likely to be confined to higher ground and, even then, it will be sleety at best.

Snow is currently in the forecast for parts of the UK on Christmas Day, which could mean 2020 rounds off with an official white Christmas – but at the moment the showers look set to be confined to the east of the country, so Derbyshire is likely to miss out.

A better hope of seeing settling snow closer to home will develop at the weekend, as a low pressure system arrives alongside what could be subzero temperatures – and Boxing Day could end on a wintry note although, at present, any snow falling will be confined to higher ground only.

The chances of seeing snow falling at lower levels ramp up considerably by the end of Sunday and the current forecasts suggest anyone in Derbyshire could wake up to a dusting on Monday morning, but that could change as we move closer.

After Monday the charts become less consistent in detail, other than to home in on a continuation of the cold spell.

But this, experts predict, could easily lead to more snow for Derbyshire as the conditions are finally right for a chance of a fairly widespread covering.

Derby-based forecaster Robert Shaw, who spotted the cold snap evolving a month ago, explained how next week’s outcome could play out on his Facebook page The Actual Weather.

He wrote: “There will be precipitation and that’s likely to be wintry, snow is highly likely, but whether it settles or not, where and when it falls, is unknown.

“But this cold unsettled spell is set to last right in to the New Year, so the chances of seeing snow are very high.

“This pattern shows no sign at all of changing, and IF this winter is heading along the same lines as 1978/9 and 1984/5 then its only a question of time before we all get a proper dumping.”