New maps show UK covered by 640-mile deluge of snow and rain from top to bottom

New weather maps show the United Kingdom is set to be battered by rain and snow next week.

According to WxCharts, there will be 2-3cm of rain and hour in Scotland on Wednesday, December 27, with the rest of Britain hit by a post-Christmas washout. Heavy rain can be expected across Wales and North West England.

However, most people hoping for a white Christmas are set to miss out, with Monday forecast light rain for the most parts with some wetter areas in the Midlands and South East.

Northern Scotland could however be set for snow on December 25. With maps showing around 2-3cm again in places.

WxCharts predicts there could be snow in Wales later in the week. Between 2-3cm an hour is forecast for parts of the Wales on Saturday, December 30.

Heavy rain is then forecast for large parts of England. Northern England and most of Scotland will look milder towards next weekend, says WxCharts.

The BBC meanwhile says Christmas Eve will be “mostly cloudy skies and patchy rain in Wales, central and southern England.” It however forecasts the weather will be mild for most.

It adds: “Christmas Day is expected to be mostly cloudy and damp with outbreaks of rain for many, turning to hill snow in northern Scotland. Turning colder overnight and into Boxing Day, where it will be mostly dry and bright with some winter sunshine and a few lingering light showers in the north.

“Turning cloudy and wet for most on Wednesday with some hill snow in the north. Windy.” 

The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings – two for wind and one for rain – on Christmas Eve. There is heavy wind forecast for Scotland and the North East.

While large parts of Wales look set to be washed-out by rain. It says Christmas Day looks like it could be dryer before the rain returns on Wednesday for most.

It reports: “Likely remaining windy for many into Thursday with spells of rain in places and some hill snow in the north. Following a possible brief, drier and less windy spell further Atlantic systems are expected to arrive across the UK.

“This will maintain broadly unsettled conditions through to the end of December and into early January. Further windy spells to be expected with showers or longer spells of rain at times for all areas.

“Some brighter/clearer interludes between systems, though these generally brief. Northern hills likely to see some snow at times, any snow at lower levels much more uncertain. Temperatures likely fluctuating around average with some milder spells in the south and rather cold at times in the north.”