Dreams of a white Christmas dashed with December 25 set to be grey and mild

People dreaming of a white Christmas this year are set to be “disappointed” by a mild and grey December 25, forecasters say.

Christmas Day is likely to be settled, cloudy and dry with light winds for Wales and most of the UK, the Met Office said.

There is a small chance of rain across north-west Scotland, though temperatures are expected to be widely mild, dashing any hopes of snow.

Single snowflake

For the Met Office to declare a white Christmas, a single snowflake has to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25 anywhere in the UK.

It is usually a common occurrence, as since 1960 more than half of all Christmas Days have been declared a white Christmas.

The last white Christmas in the UK was in 2023, when 11% of weather stations recorded snow falling – although none reported any snow lying on the ground.

Settled conditions

Dan Harris, of the Met Office, said: “Current indications are that more settled conditions are likely to develop from Christmas Eve onwards, with the majority of the UK coming under the influence of high pressure.

“The exception however may be north-west Scotland where there is a reasonable chance of further wind and rain.

“Christmas Day itself is likely to be settled, often cloudy, and dry with light winds for the majority.

“Once again, the far north may be windier, with a small chance of further rain across north-west Scotland.

“Temperatures are expected to be widely mild, so if you are hoping for a blanket of snow across the country on Christmas Day, I’m sorry to say you will be disappointed.”