Is London getting a dusting? (Picture: Getty Images)
The UK is in the middle of a cold snap which has seen parts of the country getting the first snow of the season.
With Arctic air moving across the country, pushing temperatures as low as minus 10C in some areas, it’s even prompted the Met Office to issue a rare cold weather warning for England – which is in place until 9am on Monday.
The freezing weather has of course raised speculation of snow falling elsewhere – and even the possibility of a white Christmas – with many wanting to know whether it may snow in London this winter.
Will we see any flakes fall in the capital? Here’s what you need to know…
Is it going to snow in London?
Here’s what you can expect in the coming weeks.
December 9-22
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in the south-east across the weekend of December 10-11 – which does include London, and warns there could be an accumulation of between 2-5cm.
However, they have also said there is only a ‘chance’ of snow and ice – meaning we’re not guaranteed to have any fall in the capital – so at this stage snow in London remains only a possibility.
Moving ahead, there isn’t any definite snow predicted for London by the Met Office in the fortnight up to Christmas, but once there’s a possibility we could see some at some point.
According to the long-range forecast for December 13-22, there are likely to be snow showers across the northeast, while other wintry showers may hit coastal areas.
The Met Office has predicted widespread hard frost and freezing fog, and hinted at the possibility of snow during this period, saying: ‘ There is potential for areas of cloud, rain and strong winds to spread across the south, bringing a mixture of rain and snow for a time.’
However, given that it later says temperatures ‘may increase nearer to normal in the south’ during the given period, it’s possible that any snow which does fall in the capital will be short-lived.
December 23-January 6
The long-range snow picture is unclear (Picture: Getty Images)
While there is no snow predicted as such, the Met Office has predicted uncertain weather for this time period, saying: ‘Conditions may be widely changeable, with some spells of rain, and at times snow’.
However they have also indicated that snow showers are more likely to affect the north of the country.
The forecast predicts a return to more normal temperatures around the beginning of January.
With the festive season also approaching, the bookies currently have London as an outsider to see any snow on Christmas Day.
According to Ladbrokes, the odds of snow in London on the big day itself are 8/1 – with the likes of Aberdeen and Edinburgh at a much more promising 7/2.
Of course, in all cases there’s every chance the forecast could change – so keep an eye on the Met Office website for updates.
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It’s freezing but will the capital get a dusting?